By Hank Russell
In one of the more prominent races on Long Island, a Trump-endorsed candidate won his primary for the opportunity to face a Democratic incumbent in this year’s race for Congress.
Michael J. LiPetri, Jr. won the Republican primary in the 3rd Congressional District, fending off a challenge from Greg Hach. In Suffolk County, LiPetri collected 389 votes and Hach won 111 votes, according to results from the Suffolk County Board of Elections. In Nassau County, LiPetri garnered 9,025 votes to Hach’s 1,843.
LiPetri, an attorney and a former state assemblyman, was endorsed by President Donald Trump. In a social media post, Trump wrote, “Mike LiPetri has my Complete and Total Endorsement – HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
Hach, also an attorney, received the endorsement from former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, according to The New York Post. On his America’s Mayor Live podcast, Giuliani told the Air Force veteran, “You’re one of the best candidates I’ve seen in a very, very long time.”
LiPetri will face current U.S. Representative Tom Suozzi (D-Glen Cove), who easily won his primary against Danielle Welch. In Suffolk, Suozzi received 1,194 votes compared to Welch’s 440. In Nassau, Suozzi got 14,043 votes and Welch received 2,962 votes. In 2024, LiPetri ran against Suozzi and lost by a slight margin.
In the primary race for the 1st Congressional District, Christopher J. Gallant defeated Lukas Ventouras, 12,132-7,130, to be the Democratic challenger against incumbent GOP representative Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point).
Gallant, according to his website, serves with the New York Army National Guard, worked as an air traffic controller, served as a union leader and volunteers with the local fire department. He has received endorsements from numerous elected officials and party leaders, as well as former U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
In the GOP primary race for the 4th Congressional District, Jeanine C. Driscoll bested Marvin Williams, 12,892-1,258. She will face incumbent Laura Gillen (D-Garden City) in November.
Driscoll, who currently serves as the Hempstead Town receiver of taxes, was reelected to the post in 2023, according to the website. She has been endorsed by Nassau County Executive and GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman.
In a three-way race for comptroller, incumbent Democrat Tom DiNapoli fended off Drew Warshaw and Raj Goyle. In Suffolk, DiNapoli garnered 21,675, while Warshaw got 4,077 votes and Goyle received 2,779. In Nassau, DiNapoli led all candidates with 27,802 votes, followed by Warshaw (3,240) and Goyle (2,391).
The only local primary race was the one for East Hampton town supervisor on the Democratic ticket. Current Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez faced off against East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larsen and won by a 2.045-1,245 margin.