In an eastern Long Island congressional district that has been under Republican control for a decade, former CNN anchor John Avlon and retired chemistry professor Nancy Goroff are facing off in a Democratic primary to challenge U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota. Democrats are prioritizing this suburban New York City district as they aim to regain a majority in the House of Representatives. The candidates’ positions on policy matters are so similar that a local newspaper headline described their recent debate as largely in agreement. Incumbent Democrats and local officials are backing Avlon as a fresh face who may have a better chance of defeating LaLota, the Republican incumbent.
Goroff, however, is not backing down and has loaned her campaign $1.2 million, with her allies criticizing Avlon for his past work with Republican politician Rudy Giuliani. Both candidates believe a Democrat can win in the district, which stretches from the Hamptons to commuter suburbs east of New York City. President Joe Biden won the district in 2020 by a small margin, but Democratic state lawmakers changed its borders this year to make it slightly more Republican. Goroff, who lost her election bid in 2020, helped start an advocacy group that focuses on school board races, successfully defeating right-wing candidates.
Avlon, known for his time at CNN as well as his work at The Daily Beast and the centrist political group No Labels, emphasizes the need for Democrats to attract moderates, independents, and dissatisfied Republicans. Both Democratic candidates advocate for protecting abortion rights and criticize LaLota for his support of Donald Trump and political stardom. They attribute recent Republican success on Long Island to factors such as Democratic turnout, candidate strength, and fears of NYC crime spilling over. LaLota, in response, focuses on results over rhetoric and community advocacy, while the Republican Party chairman in New York, Ed Cox, believes Long Island remains a Republican bastion.
While Republicans have historically dominated Long Island, a recent special election in a congressional district formerly represented by George Santos saw Democrat Tom Suozzi defeating a lesser-known Republican. Democrats aim to replicate Suozzi’s centrist campaign strategy in suburban races this fall. Avlon hopes to win over voters by seizing the center and appealing to moderates and independents. The race between Avlon and Goroff for the Democratic nomination will ultimately determine which candidate will challenge LaLota in the general election, highlighting the critical role of this election in the broader Democratic efforts to regain control of the House of Representatives.
