PARK SLOPE, Brooklyn (WABC) — Two closely watched congressional races in New York and New Jersey could help determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives as voters head to the polls on Election Day.
In New York's 17th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is seeking another term against Democratic challenger Cait Conley, an Army veteran and former national security official.
Conley has centered her campaign on affordability and health care issues while criticizing Lawler's support for President Donald Trump and his policies.
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Lawler, who has represented the district since 2023, has emphasized his bipartisan record, local accomplishments and willingness to break with the president on some issues.
"I have consistently fought for and delivered for my district. I've consistently been rated among the most bipartisan and effective members of Congress," Lawler said.
Conley argued voters are looking for change.
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"People are struggling or suffering, and they want change. And they don't believe that the politicians who got them into this mess like Mike Lawler are going to get them out of it," she said.
Across the state line in New Jersey's 7th Congressional District, Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. faces Democratic challenger Rebecca Bennett in another race drawing national attention.
Kean has held the seat since 2023 after flipping it from Democratic to Republican control in the 2022 midterm elections. Democrats are now hoping to win it back.
Bennett, making her first run for Congress, has focused her campaign on affordability issues and has criticized Kean's support for President Trump.
Kean has promoted bipartisan solutions for New Jersey families and highlighted efforts to lower taxes while seeking a third term in office.
The races are among several congressional contests being closely watched nationwide as Democrats try to gain enough seats to take control of the House while Republicans fight to maintain their majority.
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