By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
Tuesday night’s “Blue Wave” couldn’t breach the ruby red Southern Tier hills of New York’s 23rd Congressional District.
Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-Pendelton was re-elected to a third term in the House, defeating Democratic challenger Aaron Gies of Olean 181,807 or 59.4% to 119,749 or 38.1%, according to the state Board of Elections website.
Langworthy won each of the counties in the congressional district.
In Cattaraugus County, Langworthy received 17,359 votes on the Republican and Conservative lines, or 64.8% of the vote to 9,042 votes on the Democrat and Working Families parties or 33.7% of the total. There were 26,790 votes cast.
Allegany County voters gave Langworthy 10,740 votes or 68.9% to 4,702 votes for Gies or 29.8%. There were 10,740 voters in Allegany County.
Gies’ challenge to Langworthy, a South Dayton native and former state GOP chairman, centered on the incumbent’s refusal to hold in-person town meetings and affordability, the high cost of gas and groceries due to the war in Iraq and Trump’s tariffs.
In a statement issued by the Langworthy campaign Tuesday night, the congressman said: “Last night’s election results are a win for common sense and the truth. The people of Western New York and the Southern Tier sent a loud and clear message that they know I fight for them in Washington. The results are a powerful affirmation of my record of putting more money in taxpayers’ pockets, making our communities safer, strengthening rural healthcare, and protecting their access to affordable, reliable energy.
“This is where I was born and raised, and where I am raising my own family. The people of this district are why I fight–for a better future for them, their children, and their grandchildren. While we are forgotten by Albany, I will always make sure our region has a seat at the table in Washington.
“We have a lot more work to do to make life better for hardworking Americans, and just as I have always done, I will work with anyone who is focused on common sense solutions that will benefit the residents of the 23rd Congressional District.
“Serving as your representative is one of the greatest honors of my life. I am deeply humbled and grateful for the opportunity to continue that service. Last night’s results are a mandate to keep our sleeves rolled up, keep delivering results, and keep fighting for a stronger, safer, and more prosperous country.
“God bless NY-23, and God bless the United States of America.”
Gies also made a statement at a watch party at the Old Library Restaurant, thanking his wife Katie and their son, supporters and volunteers.
He said new Democratic elected officials will “fight to lower costs for regular people and hold corrupt politicians and billionaire exploiters accountable” and bring “justice to the tax code. They’ll fight to expand healthcare and save Social Security. They’ll fight to end the war and the tariffs. They’ll fight to end Citizens United and give the government back to the people.”
Gies also said Langworthy “would be wise to make himself more available to his constituents. The public angst that he fears mostly arises from frustration at being stonewalled and ghosted. There’s a growing difference between MAGA and the common good conservative of rural New York.”
He added: “Regardless of politics, most people are desperate for relief from high prices, low wages and sluggish local growth. The concern over billionaires stealing our government, crashing the job market and destroying both the internet and the countryside with AI is real. I urge Mr. Langworthy to stand up to his party, over the war, the tariffs and healthcare, the main drivers of runaway prices, and to support strong regulation of AI.”
GOV. KATHY HOCHUL was re-elected to a second term, beating Republican Bruce Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, by more than 1 million votes, 3.4 million or 59.1% to 2.3 million or 39.6% for Blakeman.
In Cattaraugus County, the governor wasn’t as popular. She lost to Blakeman by a better than 2 to 1 margin, 8,295 or 31.2% to 18,166 or 68.5%.
Attorney General Letitia James also won re-election over her Republican opponent Saritha Komatireddy by more than 1 million votes. James got 3.4 million votes or 58.8% to 2.2 million or 38.9% for Komatireddy. In Cattaraugus County, the attorney general lost by better than 2 to 1, 8,673 votes or 33.2% to 17,379 or 66.6%.
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, a Democrat, outpolled his Republican challenger Joseph Hernandez 3.7 million or 62.7 %to 2 million or 34.4%. In Cattaraugus County, Hernandez outpolled DiNapoli 15,870 or 60.9% to 10,163 or 39%.
In other voting, incumbent Republican State Sen. George Borrello of Chautauqua County won re-election over Victoria Guite-Williams of Genesee County 78,049 or 68% to 33,922 or 29.5%. In Cattaraugus County, Borrello received 18,352 votes or 69.9% to Guite-Williams’ 7,862 votes or 29.9%.
In the 148th Assembly District, Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski was re-elected without opposition with 35,468 votes or 78.6% of the total. There were 9,391 blank votes across the district. In Cattaraugus County, Sempolinski polled 17,162 votes or 82.3% of the total vote cast in the Assembly. There were also 3,580 blank ballots or 17.1% of the total.
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