Central New York Congressional Races to Watch on Election Day Central New York Races to Watch on Election Day

With early voting in New York State ending November 1st, voters who have yet to cast their ballot will have to do so on Election Day. There are a few key Congressional rematches in Central New York that are worth keeping an eye on Tuesday night.

In New York’s 24th Congressional District, incumbent Rep. John Katko (R) is hoping to once again stave off challenger Dana Balter (D). Katko defeated Balter in 2018 to win his second term in Congress with 53% of the vote. This year’s race is even tighter, with the most recent Siena College polling data showing Katko and Balter in a dead heat, each earning 45% of support. Balter has challenged Katko’s endorsement of President Donald Trump, but Katko has hit back, saying Balter is too far left. 24th District residents have been subject to countless commercials, a result of massive amounts of money pouring into the race. Katko has raised $3,541,163 surpassing Balter’s $2,711,811 according to OpenSecrets.org.

Those financial totals were topped in the race for New York’s 22nd Congressional District. Another 2018 rematch, the race sees former Rep. Claudia Tenney (R) challenging the incumbent Rep. Anthony Brindisi. According to Open Secrets, Brindisi has raised $5,359,636 more than double Tenney’s total of  $2,053,931. The financial advantage has also translated to the poll numbers. The latest Siena College poll has Brindisi as a nine point favorite over the underdog Tenney. Brindisi’s and the Democrats’ victory in 2018 shocked many as President Donald Trump carried the district by 16 points in the 2016 presidential election.

Nationally, with the Presidential campaign also in its final day, President Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden visited key swing states on Monday. President Trump continued his busy schedule, holding five rallies in four states, beginning in Fayetteville North Carolina before making stops in Pennsylvania, Michigan and Wisconsin. Former Vice President Biden also held events in Pennsylvania and added a stop in Ohio as well, as both candidates made their final pitch to voters.

“Tomorrow we have an opportunity to put an end to a presidency that has divided this nation,” Biden said at a rally Monday afternoon. “Tomorrow, we can put an end to a President who has failed to protect this nation. And tomorrow we can put an end to a President who has fanned the flames of hate all across this country.”

At his rally in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Trump ensured supporters that things are looking up. “We’re looking tremendous in Florida,” Trump said. “We’re really looking good all over, in the real polls.”

The path to 270 electoral votes for each candidate will likely hinge on 13 key battleground states, in addition to Florida. The former Vice President is leading polling data in most key battleground states and could even pick up traditionally red strongholds in Arizona, Georgia or even Texas. 

President Trump will need to hold onto Arizona, Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and Georgia, states he won in 2016, and pick up a win in Minnesota, Michigan or a state like Pennsylvania or Wisconsin again. 

While there does appear to be a real and viable path available for President Trump to win re-election, the margin  for error is slim and so far polling numbers would suggest that Joe Biden is likely to become the united states’ 46th president.