On Wednesday, Democratic candidate Liz Whitmer Gereghty endorsed former Democratic Rep. Mondaire Jones and ended her candidature for a hotly contested House seat in the New York City suburbs.
Another Democratic contender in New York has decided to end a potentially expensive primary run for a battleground seat by suspending her campaign. Democrats in New York are aiming to depose five sitting Republicans in the legislature next year, including incumbent Mike Lawler.
According to Whitmer Gereghty, “fighting back against the radical extremism plaguing our politics” requires a united party that prioritises reclaiming the House.
Being the sister of Democratic Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Whitmer Gereghty, a member of the Katonah-Lewisboro School Board, ran for the position with some name recognition.
However, endorsements and campaign donations have been absorbed by Jones. With the support of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan, and the Congressional Black Caucus’ political action committee, he has amassed over $1 million in the first three months of his campaign.
Jones was initially elected to the House in 2020. She had previously served at the Justice Department. Following the 2022 redistricting of congressional districts, he decided to compete for the vacant seat that encompasses Lower Manhattan and Brooklyn, which had previously been held by then-Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney.
Jones was defeated in the primary by Representative Dan Goldman. With Lawler’s victory, the seat swung to the Republican column, replacing Maloney.
“It is with great honour that I must inform you that she has decided to endorse me. Her unwavering support will be instrumental in my fight against Mike Lawler, to restore the House majority, and to protect American democracy from the dangers that the MAGA movement poses,” Jones stated.
Democrats are aiming to regain control of the Senate next year with around six contested seats in New York, which is why there has been a shakeup in the battle for the Hudson Valley seat.
Republicans serving their first terms in office in Central New York, the Hudson Valley, and Long Island own five of those seats. The sole Democrat serving a competitive seat is Ryan, a first-term member.
Following the withdrawal of their endorsements of former Rep. Tom Suozzi by other Democrats seeking to succeed Republican George Santos in a district comprising Queens and Nassau County, Whitmer Gereghty has decided to retire.
