Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), has conceded in New York’s 17th Congressional District race to Republican state Assemblyman Mike Lawler, in one of the biggest upsets of the 2022 midterm elections.
As chairman of the DCCC, Maloney is responsible for most Democratic Party fundraising and strategizing efforts.
With more than 95 percent of the votes counted, Lawler led Maloney 51 percent to 49 percent.
Maloney conceded early on Nov. 9, according to a tweet by William F.B. O'Reilly, a spokesman for Maloney’s campaign.
The outcome is one of the biggest surprises in a night that disappointed Republicans’ hopes for a red wave in Congress. The defeat came after Maloney decided to switch districts, a move that shocked observers and left many skeptical about the wisdom of the move.
In Virginia’s 2nd District, Democrat Rep. Elaine Luria (D-Va.), a prominent member of the House’s Jan. 6 committee, was defeated by GOP state Sen. Jen Kiggans. The race for months has been considered a “toss-up” between the two Navy veterans.
In New Jersey’s 7th District, Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski, who was seeking his third term, conceded on Nov. 9 to Republican challenger Tom Kean Jr., a former state Senate GOP leader and the son of popular former New Jersey Gov. Tom Kean Sr. The race was considered the most competitive in the state.
With 95 percent of precincts reporting, Kean had a lead of 52.3 percent to 47.7 percent, or 13,678 more votes than Malinowski.
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert’s (R-Colo.) race remains too close to call, with Boebert trailing Democrat Adam Frisch at press time. Frisch was leading Colorado’s 3rd District race by less than 3,500 votes with 90 percent of the results in on Nov. 9, according to The Associated Press.
“I want to thank the millions of supporters across this country,” McCarthy said on Nov. 9. “It is clear we are going to take the House back.”
However, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), whose political future is uncertain even if her party does hold onto the House, has at the same time refused to concede.
“While many races remain too close to call, it is clear that House Democratic members and candidates are strongly outperforming expectations across the country,” Pelosi said.
Meanwhile, Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert’s (R-Colo.) race remains too close to call, with Boebert trailing Democrat Adam Frisch at press time. Frisch was leading Colorado’s 3rd District race by less than 3,500 votes with 90 percent of the results in on Nov. 9, according to The Associated Press.
Whatever the outcome of the final numbers, the loss of Boebert’s seat would be a blow for Republicans, who didn’t expect such a tight race for the district.
Boebert and her House ally Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) have faced sharp criticism from Democrats for their position that the 2020 election was marked by widespread voter fraud.
The race for control of the Senate also remains too close to call.
AP currently puts the Democrats’ caucus at 48 seats in the Senate and the Republicans’ at 47. That includes Democrat John Fetterman’s projected victory over Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania and Republican J.D. Vance’s victory over incumbent Tim Ryan in Ohio.
Crucial races in Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and Alaska remain uncalled.
