1988Final results
1988 election for New York's 2nd District
U.S. House · New York
Thomas Downey (D) won with 61.6% of the vote, defeating Joseph Cardino Jr. (R) by 23.3 points.
Thomas DowneyDemocrat · winner
61.6%107,646
Joseph Cardino Jr.Republican
38.4%66,972
174,618 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 1988
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 DowneyJoseph Cardino Jr.
$896.6K
Raised by the campaign
$61.6K
$627.6K
Spent by the campaign
$61.6K
$509.1K
Cash on hand
$0
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988