Ex-CNN anchor John Avlon running for Long Island House seat as Democrat against GOP’s Nick LaLota
NY Post
Former CNN anchor John Avlon on Wednesday launched his campaign to take on Rep. Nick LaLota (R-NY) in New York’s 1st Congressional District.
Avlon, 51, will run as a Democrat in the district formerly occupied by Republican Lee Zeldin, which encompasses parts of Suffolk County and eastern Long Island.
The announcement comes two weeks after the veteran newsman departed CNN, where he worked as an anchor and political analyst. He previously served as the editor-in-chief of the Daily Beast and as a speechwriter for former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
“I believe the United States is the greatest democracy the world has ever known. And right now, our democracy is in danger,” Avlon said in a video posted on X.
“This election is not a drill. It’s up to all of us to step up and get off the sidelines. And that’s why I’m running for Congress. In New York’s first district,” he continued.
“There’s just too much at stake for the country and the community that I love,” he added. “We need to build the broadest possible coalition to defeat Donald Trump, defend our democracy and win back the House from his MAGA minions who don’t even seem interested in solving problems.”