Major Loss for Democrats as Maloney Concedes to Lawler

by Rockland Daily Staff

Representative Sean Patrick Maloney, the five-term Congressman, conceded defeat today to Assemblyman Mike Lawler. 

Mike Lawler won Maloney in one of the nation's most closely-watched Congressional races as Democrats and Republicans fight for control in Congress. Maloney conceded when Lawler led by 1.2 percentage points, even though The Associated Press has not yet called the race. 

Maloney delivered an emotional statement over Zoom from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) headquarters in Washington, DC. 

"I don't like to lose, but my opponent won this race. He won it fair and square. That means something," Maloney said. "The right thing to do is say the other guy won and wish him well."

Republicans were already celebrating Maloney's defeat, even before Maloney's concession, including Representative Kevin McCarthy of California, the House Minority Leader.

McCarthy said early Wednesday morning, "It is clear that we are going to take the House back."

However, much remains uncertain in terms of who will control Congress. This is especially true since late mail ballots can potentially help Democrats. While initially looking like the Democratic Party would lose control of the House, it outperformed most expectations.