Incumbents leading in crucial Hudson Valley congressional races: poll
NEW YORK (PIX11) -- With voting already underway in New York, voters appear to be consolidating their support for the two incumbents in the crucial U.S. House swing districts of NY-17 and NY-18.
Incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler now holds a 49%-44% lead over former Democratic U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones in New York’s 17th Congressional District, according to an exclusive new poll from PIX11, The Hill and Emerson College.
Lawler had just a one-point edge in the Oct. 4 survey of the district, which includes northern Westchester County and all of Rockland and Putnam counties.
Lawler's support has increased despite old pictures surfacing showing him in blackface while portraying Michael Jackson as a college student in 2006. Lawler has said he was paying homage to his "musical hero" and meant no offense.
PIX11 News will host the final debate between Lawler and Jones ahead of Election Day on Friday, Nov. 1.
In NY-17 the issues have remained stable, according to polling, during the final month of the campaign. Thirty percent of voters in the district said the economy is the top issue, followed by immigration at 20% and housing affordability at 15%. There is a sharp gender divide with Lawler doing 27 points better with men and Jones doing 16 points better with women.
New York is home to seven swing districts that will help shape the balance of power in Washington. In New York's 18th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan has opened a 51%-42% lead over Republican Alison Esposito. Ryan held a five-point lead in the Oct. 4 poll.
PIX11 hosted a debate between Ryan and Esposito on Oct. 9.
The poll of New York City's northern suburbs may also be an indication of how the presidential candidates will do in the more crucial suburbs of Philadelphia and Detroit. Vice President Kamala Harris leads 50%-47% in NY-17. Former President Donald Trump leads 49%-48% in NY-18.
In 2020, President Joe Biden won both districts by approximately 10 points.