New York Republican Representative Mike Lawler channeled Michael Jackson during his victory speech this week.
On Tuesday evening, Lawler, defeated New York Democratic Representative Mondaire Jones for the state's District 17 and later played a Jackson song to start his victory speech, as well as executed a Jackson dance move.
It wasn't immediately clear if Lawler was referencing a recent controversy during the speech or just expressing his Jackson fandom.
Michael Jackson Controversy
In early October, The New York Times published a 2006 photo of Lawler in blackface at a college Halloween party, where he had dressed as Jackson. Lawler defended the costume, stating it was meant as a tribute to his childhood idol.
In a statement to the Times, Lawler did not deny the photos' authenticity and said the costume was worn to be the "truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom's kitchen."
"The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind," Lawler said, per The New York Times. "Let me be clear, this is not that."
"I am a student of history and for anyone who takes offense to the photo, I am sorry," Lawler added in his statement to the Times. "All you can do is live and learn."
According to The New York Times, the photos of Lawler were posted on social media and shared with the publication last week. A reporter for the newspaper was able to authenticate the photos from those who attended Manhattan College at the time they were taken.
Victory Speech
During his speech after defeating Jones on Tuesday evening, Lawler walked on stage to Michael Jackson's hit song "Beat It."
"Folks, tonight the Hudson Valley told Mondaire Jones to 'Beat It!'" Lawler said during his speech.
While taking the stage while the song was playing, Lawler also did a high kick, referencing one of Jackson's popular dance moves.
Other New York Races
Democrats in New York ousted two first-term Republican incumbents from the U.S. House on Tuesday—one in the Hudson Valley and another in a district encompassing Syracuse—reclaiming ground lost to the GOP in recent elections.
Democrat Josh Riley defeated freshman Representative Marc Molinaro in a sprawling district that extends from the Massachusetts border to New York's Finger Lakes region.
In Central New York, Democratic state Senator John Mannion unseated Republican Rep. Brandon Williams, who was widely seen as one of the GOP's most vulnerable incumbents this cycle after state Democrats redrew his district to tilt in their favor.
On Long Island, Republican Representative Anthony D'Esposito faced a tight rematch with Democrat Laura Gillen, a former town supervisor he narrowly defeated in 2022. Although The Associated Press had not called the race by early Wednesday, Gillen declared victory, stating that voters had opted for "common sense over chaos and corruption."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press.
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