Republican state Rep. Mike Lawler is going to flip a key congressional district in New York. Lawler defeated the chairman of the House Democrats’ election committee, Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, who was running in a redrawn district with only 30% of his previous constituents. 

During the final days of the campaign, Maloney fought back against what he called “MAGA lies and distortions” about his time in office. 

“I hope every Democrat, independent and fair-minded Republican that cares about our democracy will get out and vote,” Maloney told News 12. “This is going to decide the future of our country.”

Maloney currently represents the 18th District and the redrawn map put him in the 17th. Former President Bill Clinton campaigned for Maloney and the DCCC, which Maloney chairs, put $600,000 into the race. But the donation from the DCCC was a drop in the bucket compared to the $6 million the Congressional Leadership Fund, a Republican PAC, spent on the race.

Democrats called Lawler “MAGA Mike” in an effort to connect him with former President Donald Trump. Meanwhile Lawler tried to attack Democrats on crime, which he called an “unmitigated disaster.” Lawler said public safety needs to be prioritized and called for an end to cashless bail.

On abortion, Lawler said he was against it but supports exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. Democrats tried to use that stance against him. But he said that was a personal view and would not support a ban at the national level.