U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino wins 4th term in House

U.S. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R-Bayport) won a fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday, defeating Democrat Patrick Halpin in the race to represent New York’s 2nd congressional district.

Garbarino garnered 49.62% of the vote, compared to Halpin’s 47.47 %, with 98% of precincts reporting their results late Tuesday. 

Garbarino told supporters in Patchogue at a GOP election party that the race "was closer than we would have liked."

"Every time they talk about a blue wave, Suffolk just pushes back," Garbarino said.

Halpin, though, was not conceding.

"This comes down to we the people, not the person who declares victory before all the votes are counted, because this is a very close election," Halpin said.

The race put two well-known figures in Suffolk County politics against each other. Despite the results, Halpin late Tuesday said he was not ready to concede. Suffolk County Democratic Committee Political Director Bryan Sokolowski said votes in Nassau have yet to be counted.

Garbarino, 42, first elected in 2020, has served three-terms since succeeding former longtime Rep. Pete King (R-Seaford), and described himself in campaign-ads and appearances as an "independent" voice.

Halpin, 73, who served as Suffolk County Executive from 1988 to 1991 and has served in the county legislature, state assembly and the board of the Suffolk County Water Authority, sought to cast Garbarino as beholden to President Donald Trump.

Garbarino on the campaign trail touted his work as chairman of the powerful House Homeland Security Committee, a high-profile post he was tapped by fellow House Republicans to fill last year. The role put Garbarino in direct communication with the White House and top Congressional leaders.

He used his perch on the committee to broker a budget deal earlier this year that guaranteed funding for the World Trade Center Health Program as it faced a $2.3 billion budget shortfall over the next decade. Garbarino also helped secure the reinstatement of the 9/11 health program’s staff after dozens of workers were laid off as part of wider Trump administration cuts to the federal workforce. He also pushed FEMA to release $2 billion in overdue COVID-19 emergency funds owed to New York hospitals.

Halpin, on the stump, took aim at Garbarino, arguing he and congressional Republicans did not provide a check on Trump and some of his policies, including cuts to federal health and food programs, aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and the war with Iran.

Garbarino had raised $4.5 million in campaign contributions since January, and spent $2.9 million as of the latest federal campaign finance reports filed Oct. 14. Halpin, who launched his campaign last July, raised $586,000 in campaign contributions, according to his federal filings.

More than 17,000 absentee ballots remain uncounted in Suffolk, Sokolowski said. Halpin said he was not conceding the race to Garbarino.

"This comes down to we the people, not the person who declares victory before all the votes are counted, because this is a very close election," Halpin said.

Newsday's Alek Lewis and John Asbury contributed to this story.

By Laura Figueroa Hernandez

laura.figueroa@newsday.com@Laura_Figueroa

Laura Figueroa Hernandez is the White House correspondent and previously covered New York City politics and government. She joined Newsday in 2012 after covering state and local politics for The Miami Herald.