Francis Conole won the Democratic primary for New York’s newly formed 22nd Congressional District, setting the stage for the general election after the primaries were delayed due to redistricting legal battles.
The Democratic primary attracted four candidates seeking to clinch the nomination to gain a House seat as the party looks to maintain its majorities in Congress come November. The new district map, which encompasses Onondaga, Oneida, and Madison counties, was partially represented by Rep. John Katko (R-NY), who is retiring from his 24th District seat, and Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-NY), who represents the current 22nd District but is now running to replace Katko in the 24th District.
Conole quickly emerged as the race’s leading fundraiser, raking in more than $900,000 by the end of June, according to OpenSecrets. Conole also gained the support of several national Democrats, including financial support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
New York’s congressional primaries garnered nationwide attention after a judge in May ordered a delay to the election due to redistricting battles. Democrats sought to hold the primary in June as initially planned and use their proposed congressional map that would’ve helped the party pick up three additional seats in the House.
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However, the New York Court of Appeals ruled on April 27 that the proposed congressional map, as well as the state Senate map, violated anti-gerrymandering laws and had to be redrawn before the state could hold its primary elections. The state released its final map drawn by a special master in late May, obliterating Democratic gains and positioning several incumbents on a collision course with each other.
Conole will face the winner of the Republican primary in the November election.
