New York Republican Claudia Tenney will be certified as the winner in the race to represent the state’s 22nd Congressional District, according to a ruling by the state’s Supreme Court on Friday.
The decision of State Supreme Court Justice Scott DelConte orders counties and the state election council to certify her victory, ending a three-month legal battle with a new House flip for Republicans, reducing the Democratic majority to 221-212. Tenney will rep. Anthony Brindisi (D) from the first term.
DelConte has analyzed local election committees for “systematic violations of state and federal electoral law,” including the fact that the province of Oneida has processed no more than 2,400 voter applications. However, the judge ruled that it is not the job of the court to correct those errors.
“Every valid vote cast in New York’s 22nd Congressional District has been accounted for and counted,” wrote DelConte.
The judge also ruled that Brindisi had not proven that certifying Tenney’s victory would cause “irreparable harm,” as he has more options to challenge the certification in court.
Brindisi has already said he can appeal the ruling, and he also has the option to challenge the results of the election directly in Parliament. He said there should be a recount and check after what he said was “numerous errors and discrepancies” in the first count.
“I believe a full audit and manual recount is the only way to fix this race. With the margin so small, the ever-changing count, and the countless errors that have occurred in getting to the last digit today, we can don’t wonder here, ”he said. “It’s shocking, at the moment no one knows who actually won this race. My opponent and I deserve real clarity.”
Tenney currently leads Brindisi with 109 votes and is 0.035 percent ahead. She first won the seat in 2016, but lost it to Brindisi in 2018, when the Democrats had a wave election cycle. Her win would bring the number of Republican women in the House to 30, a jump from just 13 after the 2018 midterms.
“I am honored to have won this race. It was a hard-won campaign and I thank Anthony Brindisi for his service. Now that every legal vote has been counted, it is time to certify the results. Voters need a vote. Congress, and I look forward to serving on behalf of New York’s 22nd Congressional District, ”Tenney said in a statement.
The ruling Friday underscored the House-level Republicans’ success in the 2020 cycle. While observers had predicted that the GOP would lose as many as 15 members, the GOP eventually turned over a dozen seats.
Republicans rejoiced in the victory.
“Claudia is a proven fighter for New York State who is picking up where she left off by providing two-pronged solutions for her district,” said Rep. Tom Emmer
Thomas (Tom) Earl Emmer GOP at crossroads after the Capitol siege Gulf of corporations stopped donations – much of it to GOP California was key to House GOP’s success in 2020 MORE (R-Minn.), The Chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. “I am delighted to welcome Claudia back to Washington and look forward to working with her again.”
“It only took 94 days, but Claudia Tenney was finally named the winner in # NY22. It’s about time, ”tweeted House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy
Kevin McCarthy Here Are The 11 Republicans Who Voted To Remove Greene From House Committees House Vote To Kick Greene Out Of Committees For Embracing Conspiracy Theories McCarthy On QAnon: ‘I Don’t Even Know What It Is’ MORE (R-Calif.). “That’s the seat of the 15th House the Republicans turned over, and she’s joining 18 other women to set the record for our largest female freshman class ever. Congratulations, Claudia! ”
It only took 94 days, but Claudia Tenney has finally been declared the winner # NY22. It will be time.
That’s the 15th House seat Republicans have flipped, and she’s joining 18 other women to set the record for our greatest freshman class ever. Congratulations, Claudia!
– Kevin McCarthy (@GOPLeader) February 5, 2021
Excited to add another GOP woman to our ranks to push back against Speaker Nancy Pelosi
Nancy PelosiHouse Votes To Kick Greene Out Of Committees Over Embrace Of Conspiracy Theories Hoyer Floor Drama: Top Democrat Says Greene ‘Squad’ Endanger Impeachment Managers And Ask Trump To Testify MOREliberal agenda and fight for our conservative values! added Rep. Ashley Hinson (R-Iowa), who also turned a Democratic seat in November.
Excited to add another GOP woman to our ranks to push back against speaker Nancy Pelosi’s liberal agenda and fight for our conservative values! Congratulations, @claudiatenney! https://t.co/D7WayK789e
– Ashley Hinson (@hinsonashley) February 5, 2021
The victory is especially important to the GOP at a time when the House is so closely divided. Democrats have barely a margin for error as the party strives to pass major laws, including President Biden’s $ 1.9 trillion coronavirus aid package.
The win also puts the GOP five seats away from regaining the majority by 2022.
Tenney could potentially face a tough battle for re-election next year. Democrats control all levers of power in the state government and could redesign her district to make it more democratic or merge it with Rep. Elise Stefanik
Elise Marie Stefanik NY Republicans Want Justice Department To Suomo Cuomo Over Nursing Homes Pentagon Pauses Plan To Offer Coronavirus Vaccine To Guantánamo Bay Inmates Proposal For Permanent Capitol Fence Leads To Two-Fold Setback MORE (R), pitting the two Republicans against each other.