'Exciting Time': D'Esposito Ready To Deliver For Long Island

ISLAND PARK, NY — While the "red wave" may not have been strong across the nation, Long Island did see one on Election Night. Tom Suozzi's seat flipped to Republican control, and the 4th Congressional District turned red. Anthony D'Esposito moves from lawmaker for the Town of Hempstead to a freshman congressman on Capitol Hill.

"It's an exciting time. What's even nicer is it seems like after Tuesday night, New York is going to play a very important role in making sure that Republicans have the majority in Congress," Congressman-elect D'Esposito told Patch.

The seat was held by Democratic Kathleen Rice, who chose not to run again. D'Esposito defeated Laura Gillen, the former Town of Hempstead supervisor.

The Republican said his platform resonated better with voters.

"Everywhere I went, and every poll that we did, it was cost of living and inflation, which was combined into one," D'Esposito said.

On Thursday, the consumer price index was released and for the New York area prices rose slightly, after a .2% increase in the previous two months.

Crime was one of the other factors that meant the most to the electorate.

"Those were the issues that made Democrats and Independents vote Republican," he said.

Political analysts initially expected the seat to remain Democrat. However, as the race tightened some organizations, including the Cook Political Report, listed the 4th District as a "toss-up."

"The pendulum was swinging," he said. "The one-party role in Albany and D.C. bothered a lot of people."

Ultimately, D'Esposito beat his challenger by 10,000, according to unofficial county Board of Elections figures.

"My opponent, and the Democrats in general, at least on Long Island, were on the wrong side of every issue that mattered to the bulk of the voters," he said.

As the lead appeared to grow pre-election, so did D'Esposito's confidence. But the former NYPD detective felt from the start of the campaign that the district could be flipped.

Another reason he thought the 4th was ripe for redness: "I'm not a lifelong politician. I'm active in the volunteer fire service, which is very important on Long Island."

Although he goes to Congress as a Republican, D'Esposito said he's not averse to putting his hands across the aisle.

"As long as it means delivering for the people of this district, and delivering for Long Island, I have no problem working with anyone from any party," D'Esposito said.

He'll take part in a new members' orientation on Capitol Hill this weekend. The swearing-in is Jan. 3.