This is the 1988 race. The latest: 2026 →

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
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

EvenD+30.11982D+9.41984D+31.91986D+23.31988D+18.11990R+6.31992

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