Democrat Mondaire Jones takes on incumbent Mike Lawler in NY-17 race

Republicans take Senate majority for first time in 4 years

VOTE 2024: Democrat Pat Ryan wins reelection to US House in NY-18  

VOTE 2024: Democrat George Latimer wins election to US House in NY-16

VOTE 2024:  Race for Westchester County district attorney

Vote 2024: New City polling place on Election Day

westchester

Tara Rosenblum

lawlerpostinterviewWCHV12WA_2024-11-06-00-08-55

Nikita competitive, not only in our region, but this was one of the most closely watched house races in the United States this election night and the big winner does join us. Now, Congressman, Mike Law or Congressman, should I congratulate you on the re election? The birth of your, you just became the Rockland GOP chairman. It's been quite the week for you. It's been a very fascinating and interesting week obviously on a personal level, becoming a father for the second time is what's most important. But I'm truly humbled by the outpouring of support tonight with a big win in one of the most contested races in the country. And you know, so I got to ask you about the math, right? The Democrats outnumber the Republicans in this district by 83,000, the national, the state party, they literally poured millions and millions of dollars into this race. You were out fund raised, in fact outmanned. What do you think brought you to the finish line? Look, I've won three times now in 2 to 1 Democratic districts. And it's because I talk about the issues that matter to families and cut across party line we go into every single community and do the job. And I think people appreciate the work that we do, whether they agree with me fully or not. As Ed Koch famously said, if you agree with me on nine out of 12 things, vote for me. If you agree with me on 12 out of 12 things, go have your head examined. The fact is we're not going to agree on everything. But what I've shown three times now is that we agree on a lot more than we don't. And by focusing on those issues, we can win pretty big. So let me ask you, I mean, take your pick, this race really became a microcosm of what we saw playing out on the national stage from women's reproductive rights to the migrant surge crime in the economy, public safety. Which among those, do you feel was the strongest motivator for voters in the 17th district to turn out today? Well, I think it was a few things. Obviously, the affordability crisis is the number one issue. People can't afford to pay their groceries, their utility bills, their housing bills. So that was the biggest driver. The migrant crisis was a major factor. Abortion was an issue. But I was very clear, I would never support a federal ban on abortion. And I think voters understood that despite the lies that were thrown out to the tune of millions of dollars. And I also think frankly my opponent's extremism on so many key issues including defunding the police cashless bail, open borders. All his previous statements came back to haunt him in this election. Has he called you to concede? Not yet? As far as I know, obviously, we came out and declared victory. Look Monday and I talked earlier in the day, we had a very cordial text exchange. I'm sure we will connect in the coming day. And again at the end of the day, this wasn't about him or I it was about the people of this district and the issues that matter to them. But you know what's going to happen now, I mean, you were already considered a rising star of the party, but now these results take things to a whole new level and I did not hear a small amount of people tonight questioning whether or not you'd be making a run for New York governor in the future. How seriously are you considering that? Obviously, we just had a big win tonight and I'm going to savor that victory. We'll talk about what's next. But you know, what's most important is getting back to work on behalf of the constituents of this district and that's what I'm going to do. But as I talked about in my speech, we have real challenges in this state and regardless of what position I hold or office I choose to run for in the future. The fact is we need serious change in New York and I'm going to hold Kathy Hole and the Democrat majority in Albany's feet to the fire to do better for our state here in New York. So we, I think the other big take away other than your victory for local voters to vote 2024 is really the early voting surge and vote by mail. And in your particular district it was over. I believe you'll correct me if I'm wrong. One out of three voters took part in early voting this year. What do you attribute that to typically that would break for the Democrats? Look, every time I've run for office, I've won early voting because we've made a big push on getting our voters out. I don't care how people vote, they can vote by absentee, they can vote early, they can vote on election day. The fact is we want them to vote and I think what you saw today and what you're seeing across the country, people are voting, they're taking advantage of early voting and that's a good thing. So I got to ask you quickly. OK, I'm getting the rap. So here's the last question for you. How you started your speech tonight? So you walked out to your victory speech. Beat it by Michael Jackson was of course playing. And the first words you said, let's see were what an absolute ass kicking. The Hudson Valley told Monda Jones to beat it. Was this you poking fun at the controversy that came up in your race. About your former Halloween costume? Absolutely. I mean, listen, any time you deal with situations you got to lean into it, embrace it and own it. And that's what I did when the news broke on that I owned it and we move forward. But I think voters gave a resounding answer tonight and they know who I am. They know who I am as a person and what I believe. And I think they gave the final answer on the issue. Congratulations to you, Congressman. There's only about 500 people waiting to congratulate you. So I'll let you get to it, enjoy your evening. And now I believe we're going to toss things over to Jonathan Gordon to see what Monda Jones had to say this evening. Jonathan.

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eddayinterviewWCHV11WA_2024-11-05-23-19-42

That's right. Kevin local elections lead to national change. And you heard first right here on news 12 that Mike Lawler won his re election battle against his democratic challenger on Jones. But let me just zoom out to the big picture because if you're a Republican and you live in Rockland County, boy, oh boy. Is this a sweet election night for you? Not only with the victory for Mike Law, but the master of ceremonies here, Clark Town Supervisor announced that Donald Trump also won by double digits here in Rockland County. And just moments ago, we saw Senator Bill Webber take the stage. So we're following a lot of pivotal races that race for Senator Bill Weber. That was a nail biter. It was his third rematch against the former Senator Elijah, right with me, but it looks like he eats out a win so clearly a big night for the Rockland County Executive day who joins us again. We're getting your first reaction to all these victories. Let's start with Mr Lawler heading back to Washington for two more years. You know, people want change and sending Mike back is a great thing nationally, but more importantly, in some respects what Mike has done for us locally and people need to understand something. If you like what I've been doing for the last 10 years to fix this county, I need partners and Mike has been an amazing partner as Bill Weber has also been Bill, you know, the best way to describe it is the bottom line is that we got ourselves a representative in the Senate who cares, he gives a damn about what we're doing here in Rockland County. And when I need help, I need a big gun up in Albany. Bill has always been there. So it's a victory for Rockland. Put the politics aside for a second. Let's talk about the elephant in the room. No pun intended. Do you think I'm hearing applause? Let's see who set out on the stage? No one yet. But I was told that my Lawler will be taking that stage around 1120 years to make a victory speech. So thank you for helping us fill the time. But let me ask you, I mean, this really does feel like it's been a night for the incumbents. Mi law Pat Ryan, make a victory speech. I just spoke with one of my colleagues in Long Island, a lot of incumbent victories there as well. What do you make of all of those? What I make of it? People have been paying attention to what's going on. They're not happy with the direction this country is going in. They want the best for their families and their kids and, you know, something they voted with their feet. It was as simple as that. Let's talk about Mike Lawler's political future. Should he run for governor next cycle? What do you think? Mr, what I think is doing a great job as a congressman. If he chooses to do something different, you know, it's up to him. I know being an elected official, it's not that easy to do. So I thank you. I know you're up for re election next year, but we'll get more analysis from you in a little bit for now. I'm told I have to throw things to my colleague, Jade Nash who's standing by in Bronxville with the future district attorney of County Jade.

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News 12's Tara Rosenblum is live in New York City at the campaign headquarters for Mike Lawler. 

VOTE 2024: Republican Mike Lawler declares victory over Mondaire Jones in NY-17

News 12's Tara Rosenblum is live in New York City at the campaign headquarters for Mike Lawler.

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