Nick LaLota: Campaigns and Elections
Nick LaLota's electoral career runs from Long Island local government to a competitive congressional seat that he has won and held by mid-single-digit-to-double-digit margins. This section walks through each campaign in order, with results and context, citing primary or strong secondary sources.
A note up front: LaLota's district, New York's 1st, is competitive but leans Republican, and he has won both his House races by roughly 10 points; his contests have nonetheless been closely watched as potentially pivotal to control of the House. All are covered here.
Local-government races
Before Congress, LaLota built an electoral record in Long Island local government, including being appointed and then twice elected to the Amityville Board of Trustees 1. These local races established his standing in Suffolk County Republican politics and preceded his appointed and staff roles in county government. They were his entry into elected office.
2022: The open-seat victory
LaLota's breakthrough came in 2022, when he ran for the open 1st District seat being vacated by Lee Zeldin, who left to run for governor 2. He first won a competitive Republican primary over Michelle Bond and Anthony Figliola, then defeated Democrat Bridget Fleming in the general election, taking office in January 2023 3,2. The win in the open swing seat launched his congressional career. He campaigned on border security, taxes, and the cost of living.
2024: Holding the seat against Avlon
In 2024, LaLota faced a high-profile challenge from Democrat John Avlon, a former CNN commentator and author who entered politics framing the race as a fight for democracy 4. The contest, one of a handful of New York seats seen as pivotal to House control, featured sharp clashes over abortion, immigration, and taxes, as well as competing claims to being the common-sense candidate and to having genuine local ties 5,6. LaLota won by about 10 points, holding the seat as President Trump also carried the district 7. The race solidified his hold on the competitive seat.
The district's competitiveness
New York's 1st District covers much of Suffolk County, including the East End and northern Brookhaven, and is considered fairly conservative for blue-state New York, with Republicans modestly outnumbering Democrats and a large bloc of unaffiliated voters 8,5. LaLota's roughly 10-point wins in both races, and Trump's similar margin in 2024, reflect the district's Republican lean, even as Democrats have repeatedly targeted it 7. The district's profile shapes his electoral strategy.
2026: Seeking re-election
LaLota declared his candidacy for re-election in 2026, again defending one of the New York seats viewed as important to control of the House 9. As of the latest verified information, the race was upcoming. His re-election bid continues his role as a closely watched swing-district incumbent.
Fundraising and electoral profile
LaLota's races have been competitive and well-funded, reflecting his district's swing status and its importance to House control, drawing national attention and resources from both parties, particularly in his 2024 contest against the high-profile Avlon 5. His electoral operation is built around defending a Republican-leaning but contested seat.
Electoral pattern and analysis
LaLota's electoral record is one of consistent, if not overwhelming, success in a competitive but Republican-leaning district. He won an open seat in 2022, held it comfortably against a high-profile challenger in 2024, and enters 2026 as a targeted but favored incumbent. His roughly 10-point margins suggest a district that, while contested and heavily watched, has consistently backed him.
The pattern is that of a swing-district incumbent who has outperformed the district's competitive reputation, winning by steady margins while Democrats continue to target the seat. His electoral durability rests on his local roots, his SALT and affordability messaging, and his more moderate positioning on issues like abortion, even as national attention ensures his races remain closely contested.
Summary of electoral results
Amityville Board of Trustees: appointed, then twice elected.
2022 U.S. House (NY-1): won open seat (defeated Bridget Fleming; won GOP primary over Michelle Bond and Anthony Figliola); took office January 2023.
2024 U.S. House (NY-1): re-elected (defeated John Avlon by about 10 points).
2026 U.S. House (NY-1): running for re-election.