Rep. Mike Lawler defeats Mondaire Jones in New York's 17th Congressional District, CBS News projects
NEW CITY, N.Y. -- Incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawler has fended off Democratic challenger Mondaire Jones in New York's 17th Congressional District race, CBS News projects.
Lawler declared victory late Tuesday night, but Jones has not conceded and did not show up at his watch parties. Click here for more New York election results.
As Lawler walked in to speak to supporters, Michael Jackson's smash "Beat It" was playing. He referenced the song in his remarks.
"Tonight, the Hudson Valley told Mondaire Jones to 'beat it,'" Lawler said. "I can't thank each and every one of you enough for everything you've done to make this happen."
In a 12-minute victory speech, Lawler contributed his win to his bipartisan record and his relentless focus on constituents, making more than 1,000 stops across the Hudson Valley over the last two years.
"We all want a few basic things in life. We want a good paying job to provide for our families. We want a quality education for our children. We want access to housing and health care, and we want to live in safe neighborhoods," he said. "That is what this election is about. That is why we won by such a big margin."
Lawler pointed to a comfortable margin, as opposed to the narrow 1,800-vote margin between the two in 2022.
The matchup was ultra-competitive, with millions spent on attack ads portraying the other as extreme. Republicans were bent on keeping Lawler to preserve their majority, while Democrats strived to reclaim the seat they lost along with their House majority two years ago.
The district covers all of Rockland and Putnam counties and parts of Westchester and Dutchess in New York City's northern suburbs.
Lawler and Jones in focus
Lawler voted Tuesday morning at a church in Rockland County while holding his daughter, Julianna. She recently became a big sister when Lawler and his wife, Doina, welcomed the birth of Elizabeth Rose last week.
Lawler campaigned as a common-sense Republican who often works across the aisle, especially with Rep. Josh Gottheimer of Bergen County, New Jersey.
Millions of dollars in attack ads portrayed Lawler as a threat to abortion rights, but he has promised to oppose a national ban. He picked up endorsements from some influential rabbis that were expected to help him with the Hasidic vote in Rockland County.
Jones was the congressman for District 17 in 2020, but the area was then redistricted. He moved to Brooklyn to run there in 2022 but was unsuccessful. Jones said he raised more than $10 million in the race against Lawler.
Closing pitches to voters
CBS News New York's Tony Aiello spoke with both candidates recently, asking them for their closing pitch to voters.
"I've been rated the fourth most bipartisan member of Congress... We've passed nearly a dozen bills through the House, five of them signed into law in a divided government," Lawler said. "We need to reduce taxes, reduce regulations, to create a vibrant, growing economy."
"The reason prices are so high is because of corporate greed... . I grew up on Section 8 and food stamps, so I've always known what it is like to struggle in this broken economy," Jones said. "This is not your typical election... . One member of Congress from the 17th Congressional District will determine the majority in Congress next January."
Voters have their say
Early voting was strong, and Election Day turnout steady. Voters told Aiello they had different issues on their minds.
"The border. Immigration, number one, and the economy a close number two," voter Anthony DiNardo said.
"Gun control is a big one for us. The school violence is scary as a parent," voter Bess Power said.
"The economy. That is 100% my issue. I'm in college right now, and I'm trying to set up my future. I would like to have lower prices and aim at having a better future," voter Dennis Petriv said.
"Abortion. Women's rights," voter Anita Marks said.
The race for New York's 17th Congressional District
Lawler, a freshman GOP representative, narrowly defeated Democratic U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney for the seat in 2022 and was seeking his second term in Congress.
Jones won the seat in 2020, but after redistricting, he moved to Brooklyn to run in New York's newly created 10th Congressional District in 2022. He lost the primary to former federal prosecutor Dan Goldman.
Throughout their campaigns, the two candidates tried to attract moderate voters, and each accused the other of being radical.
During a debate hosted by CBS News New York, Lawler said of Jones, "At the end of the day, if it talks like a socialist, votes like a socialist – folks, it's socialist."
Jones responded, "If it talks like a fascist and supports a fascist for president of the United States for the third consecutive presidential election, then it's a mini-fascist."
In the tight race, there was concern Anthony Frascone, an unknown running as a third candidate on the Working Families Party line, could pull enough votes to impact the outcome of the race.
