WATCH: Exclusive Washington Reporter coverage cited in debate for contested congressional district

Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (R., N.Y.) shouted out the Washington Reporter during a debate with his Democratic opponent, Laura Gillen, this week.

“Top House Democrat candidate pays connected Democrats and her husband’s business partners, reported by the Washington Reporter,” the first-term lawmaker said during his debate, in which Gillen repeatedly found herself on the defensive about issues ranging from corruption to illegal immigration.

WATCH: @ANTHONYDESPO shouts out our reporting during the #NY04 debatepic.twitter.com/iXgCCikkBs

— Washington Reporter (@DC_Reporter) October 17, 2024

During the debate, Gillen confessed that she is not “an expert” on Middle East policy; meanwhile D’Esposito, one of Israel’s staunchest defenders in Congress, expressed support for America’s ally to take out Iranian nuclear facilities. After the debate, D’Esposito said that “Gillen lacks the expertise, experience, and coalition-building ability to defend America’s ally Israel from regional threats.”

In addition to the Reporter shoutout, D’Esposito hammered Gillen over her stance on illegal immigration, and allegations of corruption during her time in office. “Democratic House candidate Laura Gillen decried ‘corruption’ while she handed $1.5 billion to Coliseum contract to donor, a progressive dark money network paid New York Democrat candidate’s salary, ‘incredibly problematic,’ says a nonprofit watchdog group,” he noted.

Following the debate, the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) praised D’Esposito’s performance. “Rep. Anthony D’Esposito’s record speaks for itself. Whether it’s his steadfast support for Israel and the Jewish people, voting for the strongest border security bill that ever came to the House floor, or working on issues important to Long Island, Rep. D’Esposito works tirelessly for New York’s Fourth Congressional district,” NRCC spokeswoman Savannah Viar said.