In a closely watched primary race in upstate New York, Republican incumbent Rep. Claudia Tenney has emerged victorious against challenger Mario Fratto in the Republican primary for New York's 24th Congressional District.
Tenney, who was backed by former President Trump, fended off accusations from Fratto, who labeled her as a 'RINO' (Republican in Name Only) and criticized her conservative credentials on various issues. In return, Tenney sought to portray Fratto as extreme and antisemitic during the campaign.
This primary battle marked the second time Tenney and Fratto have competed for the Republican nomination in the district. In 2022, Tenney secured a solid victory with nearly 54% of the vote compared to Fratto's 40%.
Tenney's win positions her well for a fourth term in the House of Representatives, given the deeply conservative nature of her district. She initially won election in 2016 to represent New York's 22nd Congressional District but faced a narrow defeat in her 2018 re-election bid. Tenney reclaimed her seat in 2020 and subsequently transitioned to represent the 24th District following redistricting in 2022.
Political analysts have categorized the race as either 'solid' or 'safe' Republican, indicating Tenney's strong standing in the district.