Jesse Watters Flags 'Big Concern' for GOP After Special Election Defeat

Fox News host Jesse Watters said he is "concerned" for the GOP after Democrat Pat Ryan defeated Republican Marcus Molinaro in a New York special House election, a race seen as a test on how the Supreme Court's recent decision on abortion rights will translate to votes come the midterms.

Watters said during Wednesday night's episode of The Five it was a "big concern" that Ryan defeated Molinaro in the closely contested race for New York's 19th District, a swing seat left vacant following the resignation by Democrat Antonio Delgado.

While Kansas overwhelmingly voted to keep abortion a constitutional right in an August 2 ballot, the New York special election was the first time a Democrat has faced off against a Republican in a highly competitive district since the Supreme Court voted to overturn Roe v. Wade in late June.

The Five's Jeanine Pirro described the race as "pretty much all on abortion" as Ryan was able to defeat Molinaro, whom she described as a "very popular guy." When asked whether Republicans should be concerned about the result, Watters replied: "I am concerned about it, so they should be concerned about it."

"Yeah, I'm a little concerned I'm not going to lie about it," Watters said, prompting laughter from the other co-hosts of The Five. "I am concerned. I mean, it's a big concern. All right. I'm not going to lie."

During his campaign, Ryan pushed abortion rights as the predominant issue for voters to decide on, with the Democrat believing that the procedure should remain widely available nationwide. In comparison, Molinaro believes the decision to impose stricter access to abortions should be made on a state by state basis.

Following his victory, Ryan tweeted that "choice was on the ballot" on Tuesday.

"Freedom was on the ballot, and tonight choice and freedom won. We voted like our democracy was on the line because it is. We upended everything we thought we knew about politics and did it together," he tweeted.

Ryan has been contacted for comment.

Watters also criticized the type of candidates available to voters in New York, describing Rep. Jerry Nadler, who won the Democratic primary for New York's 10th congressional district, as looking "like a hobbit."

"He's representing the richest district in the entire country. But is that the best we can do?" Watters said. "Like, no one else wants to run for Congress on the Upper East Side or the Upper West Side?

"I live on the Upper East Side. I see beautiful people walking around tall, healthy, all of their hair. They're quick with wit, and they know what they're talking about. The guy looks like he's not going to make it to the next session. He's the best we can do?"