Andrew Garbarino wins second congressional district primary

Representative Andrew Garbarino has defeated two primary challengers to his congressional seat.

The results for the Republican Party’s primary in New York’s second congressional district are in, and Andrew Garbarino has won. With 92% reporting, Garbarino was up 55% to his opponent Cornicelli’s 36%, with Mike Rakebrandt receiving 9%.

Garbarino told reporters he looked forward to another great win in November, in his rematch with Jackie Gordon.

Garbarino, the incumbent representative, is seen as a moderate Republican In 2020, he replaced the retiring Peter King, who is generally seen as more of a conservative. So recent years in the second congressional district’s Republican base suggest it could go either way - conservative or moderate.

The second congressional district was also redrawn, and from 2023 onward will lose some territory in Nassau but has expanded eastwards into Suffolk. This could also have affected voting patterns in either direction.

Robert Cornicelli and Mike Rakebrandt were running to the right of Garbarino. Given nationwide conservative-against-moderate trends, this race was set to be interesting.

Speaking to reporters after his victory, Garbarino called for Republican unity.

“We all need to work together,” Garbarino said. “You may not agree with me 100% of the time, but who do you agree with 100% of the time?”