Anthony D'Esposito dodges question on whether he will run for Congress

WASHINGTON — Former Long Island GOP Rep. Anthony D'Esposito on Thursday refused to tell a congressional panel one way or the other if he is preparing to run again for the House seat he lost two years ago.

Appearing under oath as the Department of Labor Inspector General before a ways and means workforce subcommittee, D'Esposito was mum on the topic, saying he was there only to answer questions tied to his inspector general role and the work of that office.

He declined under questioning by Rep. Judy Chu (D-Cal.) To either confirm or deny  a Newsday report Wednesday, citing people familiar with his plans, that he is preparing a campaign to reclaim the 4th Congressional District  seat he lost in 2024 to Democrat Laura Gillen.

"But this article says you do plan on running for this position?" Chu said, referring to the Newsday story.

As D'Esposito, 44, punted on the question, he also noted he had not commented in that story.

"Well, I hope that if you are indeed doing this, you do resign," Chu said, noting the federal Hatch Act prohibits him from holding his federal job while running for public office.

D'Esposito bristled.

"I am well aware of the Hatch Act," he said, referencing a federal law that bars most federal employees from holding office while running for an elected seat.