NEW YORK (AP) - The field is now set in the battle to replace retiring U.S. Rep. Peter King in Congress.
State Assemblyman Andrew Garbarino has won the Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional district on Long Island, defeating fellow Assemblyman Mike LiPetri.
In the district’s Democratic primary, Jackie Gordon, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel, guidance counselor and former Babylon Town Councilwoman, defeated activist Patricia Maher.
Results in the two races weren’t immediately available the day voting ended on June 23, due to the large number of absentee ballots cast in the race. Counting resumed earlier this week and Gordon and Garbarino’s victories became clear on Friday.
The district has leaned Republican in recent years, but is seen as potentially more competitive for Democrats with King’s retirement. King announced in January that he would retire after 14 terms. King had endorsed Garbarino as his favored successor.
Garbarino has said he wants to continue King’s efforts to fight gang violence and repeal a 2017 federal cap on state and local tax deductions.
Gordon campaigned on a platform of fighting for access to affordable health care and addressing inequality in education and housing. She said voters are also connecting to her experience as an immigrant from Jamaica, West Indies.
In another Long Island race, U.S. Rep. Thomas Suozzi prevailed in his Democratic Party primary.
He defeated Democratic activist Melanie D’Arrigo and former Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney Michael Weinstock, both of whom had run to Suozzi’s political left.
Suozzi, who is seeking his third term in Congress, will face Republican George Santos in the general election.
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