Member Herman Badillo, who had served for 8 years, was appointed deputy mayor of New York City. He resigned December 31, 1977 from the U.S. House to become Mayor. On February 14, 1978, Democratic state senator Robert Garcia easily beat fellow Democrat Louis Nine in a special election. Garcia had to run on the Republican election line, but was accepted back as a Democrat, once elected. He would continue to represent the district for 12 years.