Thursday, October 1, 2026
Former New York State Assemblyman Mike LiPetri won the Republican primary for New York's 3rd Congressional District on Tuesday, earning a second consecutive opportunity to compete for one of the nation's most competitive congressional seats.
The race was called with less than 30 percent of votes counted. LiPetri defeated attorney and Air Force veteran Greg Hach, receiving roughly 81 percent of the vote, according to the Associated Press Newswire.
In a statement released following the newswire's calling of the race, LiPetri criticized his general election opponent Tom Suozzi, accusing him of being "asleep on the job."
"It's time for a next generation common sense New Yorker," LiPetri wrote, "to have a seat at the table!"
LiPetri, 35, campaigned on affordability, immigration enforcement, public safety and infrastructure improvements, arguing that Republicans are positioned to win the district in 2026 after coming within two percentage points of victory in the previous election cycle.
LiPetri entered the race with endorsements from President Donald Trump and members of House Republican leadership, who posted on Truth Social, “It is my Great Honor to endorse MAGA Warrior, Mike LiPetri, who is running to represent the fantastic people of New York’s 3 rd Congressional District."
Throughout the primary, LiPetri called for tax relief, support for first-time homebuyers, stronger penalties for violent crime and increased resources for law enforcement. He also highlighted Long Island water quality and drinking water infrastructure as priorities.
Hach, a Hicksville attorney and Air Force veteran, ran a campaign focused on reducing costs, supporting small businesses, enhancing cybersecurity protections and strengthening public trust in government.
"I feel like we ran an amazing campaign, and all indications that we had were very positive for us, exceptionally positive," Hach, 55, said. "So, this kind, this incredible disparity is doesn't make any sense, but it doesn't surprise me given the corruption in the local party."
The victory sends LiPetri into a general election contest in New York's 3rd Congressional District, which spans portions of Nassau County and northeastern Queens and has become one of the country's premier congressional battlegrounds.
LiPetri was the Republican nominee in 2024, when he narrowly lost to Suozzi. Since then, he has argued that changing political conditions and expanded Republican support have improved the party's chances of winning the district.
National political organizations from both parties are expected to invest heavily in the race over the coming months.
LiPetri will face Democratic nominee Suozzi for a rematch in the Nov. 3 general election.
This story will be updated.
