2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New York

The 2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New York were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2012, to elect the 27 U.S. representatives from the state. New York lost two congressional seats following the 2010 United States census; the two existing districts that were eliminated were District 9, held by Republican Rep. Bob Turner, and District 22, held by retiring Democratic Rep. Maurice Hinchey.

Party primary elections occurred on June 26, 2012, with the general election coinciding with the national elections on November 6, 2012.

On Election Day, 21 Democrats and six Republicans prevailed. The Democratic Party regained two seats previously held by Republicans, while the Republican Party regained one seat previously held by a Democrat.

Redistricting Each caucus in the New York State Legislature submitted their proposed 27-district maps to an appointed special master on February 29, 2012. On March 6, the special master Judge Roanne L. Mann released her own proposed map, and slightly revised them again on March 12. On March 19, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York imposed the special master's maps, with minor modifications.

Overview United States House of Representatives elections in New York, 2012PartyVotesPercentageSeats+/– Democratic 4,127,348 58.00% 21 - Republican 2,252,253 31.65% 6 -2 Green 41,672 0.59% 0 - Conservative 23,414 0.33% 0 - Socialist Workers 5,533 0.08% 0 - Libertarian 2,986 0.04% 0 - Others 663,130 9.32% 0 - Totals 7,116,336 100.00% 27 -2

District 1

Incumbent Democrat Tim Bishop, who had represented the district since 2002, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 50.2% of the vote in 2010. The district had a PVI of Even.

Democratic primary Bishop kicked off his re-election campaign in April 2011.

In March 2011, Bishop was included in a list of potentially vulnerable Democrats by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, having only won by 593 votes in 2010.

Candidates Nominee Tim Bishop, incumbent U.S. representative

Bishop also had the endorsement of the Working Families Party.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Randy Altschuler, businessman and nominee for this seat in 2010

Withdrawn George Demos, former Securities and Exchange Commission prosecutor and candidate for this seat in 2010 Jason Sterling

Primary results

Altschuler also had the endorsement of the Conservative Party and Independence Party.

Libertarian primary Candidates Disqualified Rick Witt

General election Endorsements

Polling Pollsource Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror TimBishop (D) RandyAltschuler (R) UndecidedMcLaughlin (R-Altschuler) October 14–15, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 43% 48% 9%McLaughlin (R-Prosperity First) October 10–11, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 46% 49% 5%Siena College September 5–10, 2012 624 ± 3.9% 52% 39% 9%Global Strategy (D-Bishop) August 26–28, 2012 402 ± 4.9% 53% 39% 8%Pulse Opinion Research (R-Altschuler) July 29, 2012 1,000 ± 3.0% 43% 47% 10%Garin-Hart-Yang (D-House Majority PAC)/SEIU)Garin-Hart-Yang (D-House Majority PAC/SEIU) July 17–18, 2012 407 ± 4.9% 56% 32% 12%Global Strategy (D-Bishop) March 20–25, 2012 400 ± 4.9% 53% 36% 11%

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal BallCrystal Ball , November 5, 2012 NY TimesHouse Race Ratings, The New York Times, November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results On election day, Bishop prevailed by a 52.2%-47.8% margin.

District 2

Republican incumbent Peter King, who was redistricted from the 3rd district, said in May 2011 that the Nassau County Republican Party had encouraged him to run for president. King also said, however, that he was focused "entirely on getting re-elected to Congress."

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Peter King, incumbent U.S. Representative

Disqualified Paul Mourino

King had the endorsement of the Conservative Party and Independence Party.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Vivianne Falcone, teacher

Declined Kathleen Rice, Nassau County district attorney and candidate for attorney general in 2010

Falcone also had the endorsement of the Working Families Party.

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results King won re-election by a margin of more than 15%.

District 3

Democratic incumbent Steve Israel ran for re-election.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Steve Israel, incumbent U.S. representative

Israel also had the endorsement of the Working Families Party and the Independence Party.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Stephen LaBate, U.S. Army reservist and financial planning advisor

Disqualified Robert Previdi, teacher

The Conservative Party also endorsed LaBate.New districts in New York set up House races . Gannett News Service. Retrieved March 26, 2012.

Libertarian primary Candidates Nominee Michael McDermott

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 4

Incumbent Democrat Carolyn McCarthy, who had represented the district since 1997, ran for re-election. She was re-elected with 53.7% of the vote in 2010. The district had a PVI of D+4.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Carolyn McCarthy, incumbent U.S. representative

The Independence Party and Working Families Party endorsed McCarthy.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Fran Becker, Nassau County Legislator and nominee for this seat in 2010

Eliminated in primary Frank Scaturro, lawyer, historian and candidate for this seat in 2010

Primary results On June 26, 2012, Nassau County legislator Fran Becker defeated Frank Scaturro in a primary election for the Republican nomination, while Scaturro defeated Becker in the Conservative Party primary as a write-in candidate.

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 5

Incumbent Democrat Gregory Meeks, who had represented the district since 1998, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 87.8% of the vote in 2010. The district had a PVI of D+33.

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Gregory Meeks, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary Alan Jennings, former New York City Council member Joseph Marthone, small-business owner Michael Scala, rapper

Primary results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Alan Jennings, former New York City Council member

Libertarian primary Candidates Nominee Catherine Wark

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 6

The 6th district was an open seat, consisting mostly of territory from the former 5th and 9th districts. Neither of the two incumbents in those districts, Democrat Gary Ackerman from the 5th and Republican Bob Turner from the 9th, sought re-election. Ackerman retired, while Turner, who represented 51% the voters of the new seat, dropped out of the race in March 2012 to run against incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand in the Senate election.

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Dan Halloran, New York City Council member

Withdrawn Bob Turner, incumbent U.S. representative

Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Grace Meng, state assembly member

Eliminated in primary Elizabeth Crowley, New York City Council member Rory Lancman, state assembly member Robert Mittman, doctor

Declined Gary Ackerman, incumbent U.S. representative David Weprin, state assembly member and nominee for this seat in 2011

Endorsements

Primary results

The Working Families Party endorsed Lancman.

Green primary Candidates Nominee Evergreen ChouAsian candidate running on Green Party line in NY-6 . City and State. Retrieved April 16, 2012.

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 7

Incumbent Nydia Velázquez, who was redistricted from the 12th district, ran for re-election.

Democratic primary New York City Councilman Erik Martin Dilan, the son of current New York State Senator Martin Malave Dilan, challenged Velázquez in the primary with the backing of Brooklyn Democratic Party chair Vito Lopez; the Dilan family and Velázquez supporters had been engaged in a political feud for several years.Benjamin, Elizabeth (February 8, 2012). A Dilan For Congress? (Updated) . State of Politics. Retrieved February 8, 2012.¿Erik Dilan contra Nydia Velázquez? (Spanish). El Diario. Retrieved February 8, 2012.

Candidates Nominee Nydia Velázquez, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary Erik Martin Dilan, New York City Council member George Martinez, member of the Occupy Wall Street movement Dan O'Connor, economist

Endorsements

Primary results

Conservative primary Candidates Nominee James Murray

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 8

Incumbent Democrat Edolphus Towns, who was redistricted from the 10th district and was first elected in 1982, announced in April 2012 that he would abandon his plans for re-election.Benjamin, Liz (April 16, 2012). . State of Politics. Retrieved April 16, 2012.

Democratic primary Towns's son Darryl, a former member of the New York State Assembly, was formerly considered the "next in line" for the seat; however, in 2011 he accepted a position in the administration of Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Candidates Nominee Hakeem Jeffries, state assembly member

Eliminated in primary Charles Barron, New York City Council member and candidate for the 10th district in 2006

Declined Letitia James, New York City Council member Kevin Powell, activist, former star of The Real World: New York and candidate for the 10th district in 2008 & 2010 Darryl Towns, former state assembly member and son of Edolphus Towns Edolphus Towns, incumbent U.S. representative

Endorsements

Primary results

Green primary Candidates Nominee Colin Beavan, subject of the book and film No Impact Man

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Alan Bellone

General election Endorsements

Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political Report November 5, 2012 Rothenberg November 2, 2012 Roll Call November 4, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 NY Times November 4, 2012RCP November 4, 2012The Hill November 4, 2012

Results

District 9

Democrat Yvette Clarke, who was redistricted from the 11th district and had represented that district since 2007, sought re-election in her new district.

Democratic primary Sylvia Kinard, an attorney and the ex-wife of Bill Thompson (a current/former Democratic nominee for mayor of New York City), challenged Clarke.

Candidates Nominee Yvette Clarke, incumbent U.S. representative

Eliminated in primary Sylvia Kinard, attorney

Primary results

Republican primary Candidates Nominee Daniel Cavanaugh

General election Endorsements

Predictions