SUFFERN, N.Y.— For the first time since Gerald Ford stumped at the Rockland County Courthouse nearly half a century ago, a sitting president set foot in one of New York’s most competitive congressional districts — and GOP Rep. Mike Lawler made sure everyone knew it.
President Trump’s visit to Rockland County on Friday signaled his willingness to invest political capital in the suburban battleground where Mr. Lawler’s reelection could determine control of the House in November.
Mr. Trump used the rally to advocate for the voter ID-focused “Save America Act” legislation, extol the provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act that he signed last year, and promised to turn around New York with their help.
“I cut your taxes and cut the taxes on workers, families, small business, who are the soul of the state. And I made special promises that I would save thousands of dollars a year by restoring SALT, and we did that,” Mr. Trump said, referring to the higher federal income tax deduction for state and local taxes that’s a windfall for residents in high-tax blue states such as New York.
Mr. Lawler, whom Mr. Trump refers to as “Mr. Salt,” championed the SALT deduction increase, quadrupling the cap from $10,000 to $40,000, a provision he described as delivering tax relief to more than 90% of constituents in his district.
Mr. Lawler said he convinced Mr. Trump, despite a skeptical Senate, to persuade House Speaker Mike Johnson to “give him all the SALT he wants” for New York.
“Donald Trump is a New Yorker at heart,” Mr. Lawler said. “He understands toughness. He understands strength. He understands that sometimes you need to dig in and fight for what you believe in, even when it’s easier to quit.”
The two-term congressman said that his constituents were excited to see the president in what is considered one of the most vulnerable GOP districts in the country.
“The Democrats have called me ’MAGA Mike’ in every election, and some Republicans call me a RINO [Republican In Name Only]. That being said, look at me, I am who I am. And when I agree with the president, I say it. When I disagree with him, I say it,” Mr. Lawler said.
At the rally, a handful of anti-Trump protesters made their voices known and were swiftly removed by law enforcement.
Mr. Lawler first won his seat in November 2022, defeating the chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.
This year, a crowded field of Democrats — including Cait Conley, Beth Davidson and Effie Phillips-Staley — is vying in the June 23 primary to take on Mr. Lawler in the 17th Congressional District, located in the lower Hudson Valley suburbs north of New York City.
Democrats welcomed Mr. Trump’s visit.
New York State Democratic Party Chairman Jay S. Jacobs said it ensured that Mr. Lawler is “tied to his toxic agenda that is jacking up the cost of living, ripping away healthcare, and making New York communities less safe and prosperous.”
The district’s voter registration suggests a 10- to 15-point advantage for Democrats.
The Cook Partisan Voter Index for the district is D+1, meaning it voted about 1 point more Democratic than the national average across the 2020 and 2024 presidential elections — placing it as the 201st most Democratic district nationally.
It is one of only three districts in the country that Cook rates Democratic but is represented by a Republican. The others are Nebraska’s 2nd Congressional District, represented by retiring Rep. Don Bacon, and Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District, where Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick holds the seat.
These three were also the only congressional districts that voted for Ms. Harris in 2024 while simultaneously electing a Republican to the House.
In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris won New York’s 17th District 50% to 49%, and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat, won it 55% to 45%.
Despite the tough environment, Mr. Lawler has built a loyal following spanning the district’s political spectrum.
“There are even Democrats that are going to be voting for Lawler come November,” said Nathaniel Gabaronski, 40, a disability policy advocate who attended the rally.
“Even if someone does come and challenge him, his constituent services are probably one of the best in the country. When he goes to the floor and talks, he’s not following think tanks. He’s following constituent demands and concerns about this district,” he said.
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