Field Narrows in East End Congressional Primary
![Nancy Goroff](https://www.danspapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/289A7689-scaled-e1594316551710-1.jpg)
Two Democrats have dropped out of the primary election to challenge U.S. Rep. Nick LaLota (R-Rocky Point), the congressman who represents the East End, leaving three of five candidates.
Former New York State Sen. Jim Gaughran (D-Northport) and former congressional aide Kyle Hill both suspended their campaigns at the end of February shortly after the Suffolk County Republican Committee endorsed LaLota’s campaign for a second term.
“More young people should run for public office and because I believe Congress can do great things, but only when it’s composed of good people,” Hill said. “Right now we can do so much better.”
![Nick LaLota is calling for George Santos to resign](https://www.danspapers.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/nick_loalota_portraitCropped.jpg)
The race for the state’s 1st Congressional District, which is widely considered a swing district, is set against the backdrop of an anticipated rematch between President Joe Biden and ex-President Donald Trump — and after as Democrats and Republicans continue to litigate redrawing the district lines following a recent court ruling.
The Democratic field narrowing in the race leaves Nancy Goroff, a Stony Brook University professor of chemistry who lost to LaLota’s predecessor Lee Zeldin four years ago, attorney Craig Herskowitz and John Avlon, a former CNN anchor from Sag Harbor. Upon suspending his campaign, Gaughran endorsed Avlon.