King’s Retirement Creates Opening for Democrats in Suburban Long Island District and May Signal What’s Next in the Battlefield
Rep. Pete King announced his retirement this week, confirming what we’ve long predicted: that Long Island is in play.
And while we have known for months that privately local and national Republicans were worried about holding onto seats in suburban districts like NY-02, some are now publicly conceding that winning in these districts in 2020 is not guaranteed.
One Republican consultant told the Associated Press that while the district seems like one Republicans should hold on to, winning is not “a slam dunk.”
Susan Del Percio, another Republican strategist, agreed with that sentiment, tweeting that King’s retirement is “very big deal” adding that “the only Republican that can hold this seat is King. The blue suburban wave is still rolling on.”
Even local Republicans like former Suffolk County Republican Chairman John Jay LaValle told Politico:
“It’s going to be an extremely difficult seat for the Republican Party to hold. Compounded with the fact that we’re in a very blue state and there will be any number of states up for grabs across the country, this might not be the highest priority for the [National Republican Congressional Committee]. … There’s any number of retirements coming — a lot of seats in play, so this doesn’t come at a great time for the Republican Party.”
But New York’s 2nd District is only part of the 2020 story. Several House Republicans have already called it quits and many speculate more retirements are coming, signaling that Democrats are in a very strong position to not only protect their majority, but expand it.
“As voters continue to reject not only Donald Trump, but Washington Republicans’ extreme policies on taxes and health care, Republicans in many suburban districts are retiring rather than face tough reelection battles in 2020,” said DCCC Spokesperson Christine Bennett. “When former party chairmen and seasoned strategists concede that suburban seats are extremely difficult to hold, you know you’re in trouble.”
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