Democrats Gain Ground in Long Island House Races
Democrats narrowed margins across all four Long Island congressional districts, though two races remain too close to call.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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Democrats took back control of the Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives, and gained ground in each of Long Island's four congressional districts. Neither Democrat in the two closest races has conceded.
Why it matters
The results signal a shift in voter sentiment across the Long Island region, where incumbents who previously won by wide margins now face much tighter contests. All four incumbents are expected to return to Washington, D.C. in January.
Nick LaLota leads Democrat Chris Gallant by 2 points in the First District, down from an 11-point win in 2024, while Andrew Garbarino leads Democrat Patrick Halpin by 2 points in the Second District, down from a 20-point win. Vote counting in the First District is still underway.
The players
Nick LaLota
Republican U.S. Representative for New York's First Congressional District, who holds a narrow lead over Democrat Chris Gallant.
Andrew Garbarino
Republican U.S. Representative for New York's Second Congressional District, who did not make a public appearance on election night.
Tom Suozzi
Democratic U.S. Representative for New York's Third Congressional District, who leads Michael LiPetri by 10 points.
Laura Gillen
Democratic U.S. Representative for New York's Fourth Congressional District, who leads Jeanine Driscoll by 13 points.
Rich Schaffer
Chair of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee, who said the Second and First District races are too close to call.
The details
Democrats gained ground in each of Long Island's four congressional districts on election night. Tom Suozzi leads Michael LiPetri by 10 points in the Third District, a seven-point gain from 2024, and Laura Gillen leads Jeanine Driscoll by 13 points in the Fourth District, an 11-point improvement from two years ago.
Timeline
Two years ago (2024): LaLota won the First District by 11 points and Garbarino won the Second District by 20 points.
November 3, 2026: Election night results were reported across Long Island districts.
January: All four incumbents are scheduled to return to Washington, D.C.
Political Context
Two years ago, LaLota and Garbarino won their districts by 11 and 20 points, margins that have now narrowed to two points each. Democratic gains in all four Long Island districts suggest the 2024 margins were not a reliable guide to this cycle.
With two races still too close to call, final outcomes and the composition of the New York delegation will not be settled until remaining votes are counted. Voters tracking local representation should watch for certified results from election officials in each county.
The takeaway
Narrowing margins across Long Island show that long-held incumbent advantages can erode quickly. Readers following these districts should expect further updates as ballots are counted.
Further reading
For broader context on how these races fit into the national picture, explore Elections coverage.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News 12 - Long Island.
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