1982Final results
1982 election for New York's 2nd District
U.S. House · New York
Thomas Downey (D) won with 63.9% of the vote, defeating Paul G. Costello (R) by 30.1 points.
Thomas DowneyDemocrat · winner
63.9%80,951
Paul G. CostelloRepublican
33.8%42,790
Louis VandenessenRight to Life
2.3%2,971
126,712 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1982
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Thomas DowneyPaul G. Costello
$394.7K
Raised by the campaign
$32.9K
$301.4K
Spent by the campaign
$32.3K
$0
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1982.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1982