Former CNN Anchor Loses Bid For Congress

John Avlon, the former CNN anchor and analyst, has fallen short in his campaign to represent New York’s 1st Congressional District.

Republican Rep. Nick LaLota, who currently serves part of Long Island, emerged victorious over Avlon in Tuesday’s election, securing a critical win for the GOP as they aim to maintain control of the U.S. House of Representatives. LaLota received 55.7% of the vote, totaling 215,678 votes, as the incumbent Republican. Avlon garnered 44.3% with 171,556 votes according to The Associated Press.

With nearly all votes counted, LaLota’s lead over Avlon exceeded 40,000, according to Newsday, solidifying the congressman’s second term in office. The 1st Congressional District covers most of Suffolk County, including the exclusive Hamptons, and has been a GOP stronghold for the past decade. LaLota’s re-election keeps this wealthy eastern portion of Long Island under Republican control, underscoring the party’s enduring appeal in the region amid growing national attention on the balance of power in Congress.

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LaLota’s win not only signals stability for Republicans in New York but also represents a setback for Democrats hoping to make inroads in conservative-leaning districts. Avlon’s run as a former media figure brought some attention to the race, but ultimately, his campaign struggled to overcome LaLota’s incumbency and the district’s long-standing Republican allegiance.

Former CNN anchor/analyst @JohnAvlon has lost his race for New York’s 1st Congressional District, per @AP

— Dylan Byers (@DylanByers) November 6, 2024

Avlon began his career as a speechwriter for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani and also served as his deputy director of policy. Avlon later became the editor-in-chief of The Daily Beast from 2013 to 2018, where he led the publication to significant growth and journalistic acclaim. He joined CNN as a senior political analyst and anchor, contributing to various programs.

The battle for control of the House of Representatives is poised on a knife’s edge, with vote counting potentially stretching into days or weeks before a clear winner emerges between the parties. House Republicans are currently holding on to a slim majority, which they secured in the 2022 elections with significant victories in traditionally Democratic strongholds like New York and California.