UZUN ISLAND (WABC) — When you say the word “battleground,” you probably think of the “Rust Belt” or states like Georgia and Arizona.

When it comes to Congress, the battlefield is right in your backyard.

It is argued that Long Island will have a crucial role in the party’s eventual control of the House of Representatives.

Republicans currently control the House of Representatives with 220 voting members, while Democrats have 212 members.

Three of four counties on Long Island are controlled by Republicans, including parts of Nassau and Suffolk.

In the traditionally blue Northeast, Democrats think they can flip some of those seats.

From Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Uniondale to House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in Hempstead, you can tell just how important Long Island’s congressional races are from the big names hitting the campaign trail.

Democrat and former Hempstead Town Supervisor Laura Gillen is challenging freshman Republican Congressman Anthony D’Esposito in New York’s 4th District race.

It’s a rematch from two years ago, and it may be the most competitive race on Long Island.

“We’ve already knocked on 90,000 doors and will continue knocking until November 5th,” Gillen said.

The Newsday Siena College poll released last week shows Gillen with a 12-point lead over the incumbent president.

He may also have gotten a boost from the bombshell New York Times report that accused D’Esposito of putting his fiancée’s daughter and his mistress on the same payroll, costing taxpayers nearly $30,000.

“There is absolutely no scandal. There is no story. This is a political hit piece and zero ethics were violated,” said Representative Anthony D’Esposito.

D’Esposito helped lead the impeachment of Long Island Congressman George Santos.

Republican District 1 Rep. Nick LaLota also joined the lawsuit.

“I was proud to take accountability to ensure that he was removed from office so that voters had a legitimate opportunity to elect someone who would fit that seat.” said LaLota.

LaLota was locked in a tight race with former journalist John Avlon.

“I saw this election, especially after January 6th with the re-nomination of Donald Trump, as one of those times when citizens needed to step up, roll up their sleeves, and step into the arena,” Avlon said. he said.

While Democrats hope Avlon and Gillen can flip their districts from red to blue, that will be a much more difficult task in District 2, a Republican stronghold where Rep. Andrew Garbarino is in office for a third term.

“I think what’s been under Democrat control in Albany and New York City, just what’s been under Democrat control over the last few years, has caused people to start voting, not just on Long Island but in the Hudson Valley and upstate New York and even in the city. Republicans because they want change,” Garbarino said.

His opponent is 29-year-old entrepreneur and Democrat Rob Lubin.

“It’s been in the red for a long time. What do you think about this challenge of a potential challenge?” Eyewitness News reporter Chantee Lans asks.

“I feel good. I feel good, and that’s why Long Island can shake and has shaken in the past,” Lubin said.

That leaves the 3rd District, the only district on Long Island currently controlled by a Democrat.

Tom Suozzi holds the seat after winning a special election following the expulsion of George Santos.

He’s running against Republican Mike LiPetri in a district where the immigration crisis has become a top voting issue.

“My number one issue is that we need to secure the border, and I am building a bipartisan network to secure the border, working with Democrats and Republicans to build a coalition of business, badges, and the Bible to find a path forward.” said Suozzi.

“During the ICE abolition movement, I was the one who worked with ICE to divert illegal aliens from committing heinous crimes like predators and murder.” It is important to have this type of advocacy to keep our communities safe,” LiPetri said.