The most at-risk Republican in the House is anticipated to lose their swing district in New York

First-term Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., suffered a major defeat in his re-election bid, dealing a significant blow to the Republicans’ efforts to maintain control of the House. Williams, who was widely considered the most vulnerable House Republican incumbent this election cycle, was projected to lose to New York state Sen. John Mannion, a moderate Democrat, according to Associated Press projections.

The loss of Williams was not entirely unexpected, but it could be a sign that the tide is turning against the Congressional GOP. As of late Tuesday evening, House Democrats were projected to win a total of 108 seats, compared to 164 projected victories for Republicans.

The campaign for the 22nd Congressional District in New York was closely watched, as it was one of the 16 districts won by House Republicans in 2022 after President Biden’s victory in 2020. Williams won the seat in 2022 after former Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., retired. The district includes the cities of Syracuse and Utica and was redrawn earlier this year, making Williams’ re-election bid even more challenging.

Williams, a Navy officer-turned-truffle farmer, ran his campaign as a traditional conservative and endorsed Trump in January. Mannion, a former teacher with the endorsement of New York state’s teachers union, was accused of acting aggressively toward aides. An anonymous letter from “Concerned Mannion Staff” alleged mistreatment, harassment, and retaliation in his state Senate office, which Mannion dismissed as a false political attack.

A subsequent investigation commissioned by the state Senate cleared Mannion of any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, a video surfaced of Williams at a holiday event in late 2023, where he was heard threatening his former chief of staff. Williams claimed the confrontation occurred because the ex-staffer allegedly attempted to blackmail him using his daughter’s OnlyFans account.

The race between Williams and Mannion highlighted the intense competition for control of the House, with both parties pouring significant resources into the campaign. The outcome of this election could have far-reaching implications for the balance of power in Congress.

For more updates on the 2024 campaign trail and exclusive interviews, visit our Fox News Digital election hub. Follow Elizabeth Elkind, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, on Twitter at @liz_elkind for the latest news and tips.