Nick LaLota | |
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Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st district | |
Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Lee Zeldin |
Personal details | |
Born | Bay Shore, New York, U.S. | June 23, 1978
Political party | Republican |
Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) Hofstra University (MBA, JD) |
Signature | |
Website | House website |
Military service | |
Branch/service | United States Navy |
Nicholas Joseph LaLota (/ləˈloʊtə/ lə-LOH-tə; born June 23, 1978) is an American politician and businessman. A member of the Republican Party, he represents New York's 1st congressional district, in the United States House of Representatives since 2023.
LaLota was born on June 23, 1978, and is from Bay Shore, New York.[1] He graduated from St. Anthony's High School and, in 2000, from the United States Naval Academy. He served in the U.S. Navy for eight years, serving three overseas deployments.[2] He earned a Master of Business Administration and a Juris Doctor from Hofstra University.[3] LaLota served as chief of staff to Suffolk County Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey. He also served on the Suffolk Board of Elections as well as a trustee for the village of Amityville, New York.[4]
Main article: 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in New York § District 1 |
LaLota ran for the United States House of Representatives in the first congressional district of New York to succeed Lee Zeldin, who ran for governor of New York.[5] He won the general election on November 8 by defeating the Democratic nominee Bridget Fleming.[6]
On December 27, 2022, LaLota became one of the first Republicans to call for a full House Ethics Committee investigation into the false claims made by his fellow Long Island Republican, representative-elect George Santos. "New Yorkers deserve the truth and House Republicans deserve an opportunity to govern without this distraction", LaLota said.[7] On March 7, 2024, during President Joe Biden's State of the Union address, Santos posted on social media that he plans to run against LaLota in the 2024 Republican primary.[8]
LaLota was sworn in on January 7, 2023.[9]
For the 118th Congress:[10]
LaLota married his high school sweetheart, Kaylie, who is a teacher at Northport High School. They have three daughters. LaLota resides in Amityville.[15]
LaLota is Roman Catholic.[16]