Former county executive mounts rare bid for Congress at 73

Former Suffolk County Executive Patrick Halpin is challenging Republican Rep. Andrew Garbarino in New York’s 2nd Congressional District, seeking a return to elected office nearly four decades after his last public position.

Halpin would turn 74 shortly after taking office if elected, making him an unusual first-time congressional candidate in his 70s as both parties debate generational change. The median age of House members was 57.5 at the start of the current session, according to the Pew Research Center.

Halpin said his campaign is focused on opposing President Donald Trump and what he describes as harmful policies by Trump-aligned Republicans. Garbarino said Halpin’s record, rather than his age, is the issue. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has not included Halpin among its highlighted competitive candidates.

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