By

Caitlin Yilek

Politics Reporter

Caitlin Yilek is a politics reporter at CBSNews.com, based in Washington, D.C. She previously worked for the Washington Examiner and The Hill, and was a member of the 2022 Paul Miller Washington Reporting Fellowship with the National Press Foundation.

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Updated on: November 5, 2026 / 6:19 PM EST / CBS News

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Washington — Democrat Cait Conley defeated two-term Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, winning a highly competitive seat in New York's Hudson Valley region, CBS News projected.

Lawler's loss is another setback for Republicans. CBS News has projected that Democrats will take control of the House in January with a wide majority .

Lawler called Conley to concede Tuesday, though vote-counting continued for longer than expected due to issues at polling precincts in Westchester County.

"I have never been afforded in any of my elections a concession on election night and I fundamentally believe it's the right thing to do," he said.…