Chethma De Mel, Jadetimes Staff
C. J. De Mel is a Jadetimes news reporter covering Entertainment News
Less than 50 days ahead of the U.S. election, former President Donald Trump held a rally in New York, a state he's unlikely to carry in the presidential battle, but still important in the fight for House control. Trump's event at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum on Long Island drew an enthusiastic crowd despite the state's Democratic lean. His message was one of support for the Republican candidates in those key congressional districts, an easy strategic move that might help his party retain its majority in the House of Representatives.
Before the rally, Trump bragged to the crowd as he always does. "When I told people in Washington that I was coming to New York, they said, 'What do you mean New York? Republicans can't win here.' But I said, we can win New York," Trump said. He is unlikely to win the state's electoral votes but his mission is larger-revving up Republican candidates in competitive districts.
The arena was filled with supporters of Trump like Maureen Liantonio, who is 55 from Long Island. She donned a shirt of Trump in Barbie-pink sunglasses and said that she had full support for the Republican ticket, nationally down to locally. "I'm doing it all Republican, the whole down ballot," she said .
Republican Focus on Key Districts
While New York is a safe Democratic bastion in presidential contests, numerous congressional districts - in particular, on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley - become competitive for the House of Representatives. The Trump visit was done to help Republicans in those contested areas. For example, Anthony D'Esposito, congressman from New York's 4th District and a Republican, was the speaker before Trump at the rally. That was the same district he flipped from Democratic control in 2022, despite being considered a Democratic-leaning area in the previous presidential election. D'Esposito's success is something Republicans hope to replicate throughout the country.
Residents like Randie Lucano, a 64-year-old small business owner, cited concerns shared by many suburban voters: increased costs, housing affordability, and immigration. Lucano had considered voting for independent candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. but will vote Republican. "Economy is huge. Housing, the next generation. What can they afford?" she said, citing concerns that align with Trump's message about immigration and the cost of living.
Immigration, Crime Top Voter Concerns
The New York Republican strategy has depended heavily on the issues of crime, immigration, and inflation-the same ones that brought the party significant gains last year. This message still cuts through to many voters. A mid-September CBS News/YouGov poll found 53% of voters who say the economy is a major issue favor Trump over his opponent, Kamala Harris. Meanwhile, 73% of Trump supporters believe immigration makes the country worse.
For voters such as Celine Kaur, 48, of Long Island, immigration is a key issue. Kaur, whose parents legally immigrated from Guyana in the 1980s, said she felt frustrated by the lack of comparisons between new migrants and herself: "I can't even get any kind of help, but they're coming yesterday, and they're getting so much help." She was repeating Trump's position that immigration laws need toughening.
Challenges Ahead for Republicans
But that may not be quite so easy for Trump in moderate districts. According to suburban politics expert Lawrence Levy from Hofstra University, Republicans in swing districts have to somehow distance themselves from that extremism to win over centrist voters. "The danger for the Republican Party down ballot is that Trump's tone and language on race and crime could alienate moderate voters," Levy said.
Meanwhile, Democrats are hopeful that Kamala Harris's historic campaign and her messaging on issues such as abortion rights will activate its base. The Democratic Party faced severe blows during the 2022 election facing redistricting and low voter turnout, but this time it thinks momentum has flipped in favor.
For voters such as Christine, a 4th District resident, Trump's rhetoric on immigration and crime has been a turnoff. She describes herself as pro-life, but said others have the right to make their own abortion choices - a view which would lead her to support Harris. "I'm pro-choice. It's between them and God," she said, adding that she would likely vote for local Democratic candidates as well.
With the election looming closer, the battle for control of the House remains contentious, with only a few New York districts likely to hold the key to the future of the country's political climate.
