ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York state's congressional elections are testing the staying power of Republicans who rode a tea party wave to a House majority two years ago — as well as the resiliency of Democrats striving to regain control.

Democrats are targeting four of the five Republicans who took New York congressional seats away from them in 2010. Two more of the most contested House races in New York are in heavily Republican districts where Democrats won special elections.

Included in the mix are three rematches of contests decided by paper-thin margins last election, making New York a busy House battleground for both parties.

The big money involved in the contests reveals the GOP's intent on preserving its foothold in the heavily Democratic state.