State Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy speaks to reporters outside the state Capitol on Nov. 4 following a strong showing by GOP candidates across the state on Election Day and President Trump taking 50 of New York’s 62 counties.
Even though there is no danger that New York will turn red anytime soon, Republican leaders are finding some good news in the down-ticket races for Congress and the state Legislature.
There is no chance that President-Elect Joe Biden will not get New York’s 29 Electoral College votes. The last time New York flipped red for a president was in 1984, with the election of Ronald Reagan.
However, Republicans in the Empire State are celebrating a mini “red wave” of sorts on Nov 3, with Donald Trump winning in 50 of New York’s 62 counties, potentially flipping two House seats, and likely picking up seats in the state Senate and state Assembly.
On Nov. 4, just hours after many races were called on election night, State Republican Committee Chairman Nick Langworthy held a press conference outside the state Capitol to talk about the “outstanding night” for the Republican Party.
“Last night was quite the evening,” Langworthy said. “Almost two years ago I set out on a mission. I wanted to rebuild and revitalize the Republican Party in the state of New York. I am very proud of the results our party showed last night taking a very bold step in that direction.”
Even though election results have not yet been certified — and absentee and mail-in ballots are still being counted in many districts — for the moment it seems that Republican candidates may have ousted Democrat incumbents in several congressional, state Senate and state Assembly races.
For example, Republican Nicole Malliotakis has claimed victory over the incumbent, Democrat Max Rose in the 11th Congressional District on Staten Island and part of Brooklyn.
Meanwhile, in the 22nd Congressional District upstate, Republican Claudia Tenney currently holds a slim lead over one-term Democrat Anthony Brindisi. According to widespread media reports, approximately three-fourths of all mail-in ballots still being counted are favoring Brindisi.
And while results are still unofficial, it appears Republcian candidates may have taken some vulnerable state Senate and state Assembly seats in the Hudson Valley, upstate and on Long Island.
In some districts, the candidates are separated by just a few thousand votes.
“Despite a host of factors that were supposed to work against Republican candidates, our conference and party performed well on Election Day, offering some encouraging signs for the future,” said Assemblyman Will Barclay, the leader of the Republican Conference in the state Assembly.
“The days of violence in the streets, an unaffordable cost of living and a state economy on the brink of collapse do not work for New Yorkers,” he said. “More voters are realizing that the core principles of One-Party Democrat rule create real problems for hard-working men and women.
“Although many races remain undecided, we know for certain that the Assembly Minority will welcome at least 11 new members to its ranks next year, and will once again grow in numbers. Mike Lawler’s victory over the Democratic incumbent in the 97th District is a tremendous win, and I extend my congratulations to him,” Barclay said.
Langworthy echoed Barclay, saying the results from Nov. 3 are “a rebuke for the extreme left wing agenda that’s been thrust out of this Capitol by Democrats that run the Legislature.”
The state Republican Committee chair echoed a popular claim of the national Republican Party and President Trump — that the news media has been against them over the last four year. “We did this in spite of a mainstream media and political money class who were aiding Democrats every step of the way.”
Expanding on that, Langworthy says, “We did this because we stayed focused on the issues that matter to New Yorkers. Issues like supporting our police, repealing the dangerous new bail law and respecting hardworking taxpayers.”
Langworthy concluded the 20 minute press conference with the statement, “People can rest assured after the results of last night. The Republican Party is alive and well in the state of New York.”
