New York - 19th District
Incumbent --
John Hall (D)
; Defeated by Nan Hayworth, R, in general election on November 2, 2010
Tossup
Updated Oct. 14, 2010
This lower Hudson Valley district has become the GOP's top target among the many competitive districts in New York.
Republicans will say Hall is too far to the left of this region that narrowly favored President Barack Obama in 2008 and overwhelmingly supported President George W. Bush in 2004. And Democrats will say that GOP challenger Nan Hayworth is too far to the right.
Hayworth, an Ivy League-educated retired ophthalmologist, has proved to be a solid campaigner and strong fundraiser.
And Hayworth led by 2 points in a September survey by the Democratic firm Public Policy Polling.
Democrats acknowledge that some think Hall is a dead man walking, but it's difficult to write off a two-term incumbent facing a political novice -- at least not yet.
District Information
District Profile from Politics in America
Snug between Connecticut and New Jersey, the 19th links New York City suburbs to upstate New York. The Hudson River flows through the district's center, along which lie some of the state's richest communities. East and west of the river are rural towns and vegetable farms.
The Westchester County portion of the district is known for elegant exurban homes inhabited by wealthy residents. Peekskill, with a working- and middle-class base, has a strong cultural and arts center, and a hospital in nearby Cortlandt Manor recently completed an expansion project.
Both sides of the river have steep embankments in the Hudson Highlands north of Peekskill. The U.S. Military Academy is here.
Technology and research firms have moved into the mid-Hudson region south of Poughkeepsie, and there is a growing "green" job market. Rail commuter lots fill early each day as district residents commute to white-collar and public-sector jobs in New York City or southern Westchester County. Health care is a key industry in Orange County, which ranges from farms and small towns in the west to suburbia in the east.
The wealth in the 19th's south and the rural character of its western reaches, which extend to the foothills of the Catskill Mountains, make the district politically competitive.
Major Industry
Technology, agriculture
Military Bases
U.S. Military Academy, 1,165 military, 2,735 civilian (2009)
Cities
Peekskill, 23,583; Kiryas Joel, 20,175; Beacon, 15,541
Notable
The home and farm of John Jay, first chief justice of the United States, is in Katonah.
District Election History
| Year |
Election |
Candidate |
Votes |
Percent |
| 2010 |
general |
Nan Hayworth (R) |
109,956 |
52.6% |
| John Hall (D) |
98,766 |
47.2% |
| 2008 |
general |
John Hall (D, INDC, WFM) |
164,859 |
58.7% |
| Kieran Lalor (R, C) |
116,120 |
41.3% |
| 2006 |
general |
John Hall (D) |
100,119 |
51.2% |
| Sue Kelly (R, INDC, C) |
95,359 |
48.8% |
| 2004 |
general |
Sue Kelly (R, INDC, C) |
175,401 |
66.7% |
| Michael Jaliman (D) |
87,429 |
33.3% |
| 2002 |
general |
Sue Kelly (R, C, INDC) |
121,129 |
70% |
| Janine Selendy (D) |
44,967 |
26% |
| Christine Tighe (RTL) |
4,374 |
2.5% |
| Jonathan Wright (GREEN) |
2,642 |
1.5% |
Vote For President
| Year |
Democrat |
Republican |
Independent |
| 2008 |
Barack Obama: 51% |
John McCain: 48% |
|
| 2004 |
John Kerry: 45% |
George W. Bush: 53% |
|
| 2000 |
Al Gore: 47% |
George W. Bush: 49% |
|
