1988Flipped from RepublicanFinal results
1988 election for New York's 20th District
U.S. House · New York
Nita M. Lowey (D) won with 50.3% of the vote, defeating Joseph J. Dioguardi (R) by 2.8 points, a seat Republicans won last time.
Nita M. LoweyDemocrat · winner
50.3%102,235
Joseph J. DioguardiRepublican
47.5%96,465
Florence T. O'GradyRight to Life
1.4%2,932
Henry M. LevineOther party
0.8%1,631
203,263 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.
Nita M. LoweyJoseph J. Dioguardi
$1.3M
Raised by the campaign
$1.6M
$1.3M
Spent by the campaign
$1.6M
$28.3K
Cash on hand
$3.4K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Nita M. Lowey (D)Joseph J. Dioguardi (R)
Also on the ballot: Florence T. O'Grady (Right to Life), 1.4%; Henry M. Levine (Other party), 0.8%