Incumbent U.S. Rep. Marcus Molinaro (R) and Josh Riley (D) are running in the general election for New York’s 19th Congressional District

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Marcus Molinaro (R) and Josh Riley (D) are running in the general election for New York’s 19th Congressional District on Nov. 5, 2024.

This election is a rematch of the 2022 general election in which Molinaro defeated Riley 50.8%-49.2%. Molinaro’s 2022 victory was the first time a Republican won the district since 2016.

According to Spectrum News’ Kevin Fey, “In recent interviews, Molinaro labeled Riley a ‘fraud,’ while Riley said Molinaro is ‘really good at pointing fingers’ and really bad at solving problems.’ Molinaro, the incumbent, touts his decades living in upstate New York and endorsements from various trade unions, while casting Riley as an out-of-touch Washington insider. He points to Riley’s time spent outside of the district working as a clerk for a federal judge and an aide on Capitol Hill before entering private practice…Riley, in response, says he is a fifth generation native of Broome County. Riley labels his opponent a career politician, noting the decades that Molinaro has spent in public office, including previously serving as a state assemblyman and county executive.”

As of Aug. 13, 2024, The Cook Political Report with Amy Walter and Larry J. Sabato’s Crystal Ball rate the district as a toss-up while Decision Desk HQ and The Hill and ‘Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rate the district Lean/Tilt Republican.

Molinaro was first elected to public office when he was 18, becoming the mayor of Tivoli, New York. Molinaro became the youngest mayor in the U.S. at the time. Molinaro received an associate degree from Dutchess Community College and a community leadership alliance certificate from Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. Molinaro worked as a realtor and served as the county executive of Dutchess County and vice president of the New York State Association of Counties. Molinaro served in the New York State Assembly from 2007-2011.

Molinaro said, “My top priority is making life more affordable for every family.” Molinaro’s campaign website says he will work to reduce the tax burden on families, support policies he believes will lower inflation, and streamline and simplify the tax code. Molinaro also says he will work to increase energy production while reducing carbon emissions and expand mental health services.

Riley received a bachelor’s degree from the College of William and Mary and a J.D. from Harvard. He was a staff assistant to former U.S. Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D), a policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor, a clerk on the Ninth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, and a general counsel to former U.S. Sen. Al Franken (D) on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Riley worked for the law firms Boies, Schiller & Flexner and Jenner & Block LLP.

Riley said, “I’m running for Congress to change things. I support term limits, and I don’t take any corporate PAC money because my vote is not for sale.” Riley says he will work to increase the number of border agents and stop the flow of fentanyl at the U.S.-Mexico border and reduce taxes on the middle class.

Based on Q2 2024 reports filed with the Federal election Commission, Molinaro raised $3.6 million and spent $1.4 million, and Riley raised $5.2 million and spent $1.3 million. To review all the campaign finance figures in full detail, click here.

New York conducted redistricting between the 2022 and 2024 elections. As a result, district lines in this state changed. To review how redistricting took place in New York and to see maps of the new districts, click here. For a list of all states that drew new district lines between 2022 and 2024, click here.

New York’s 19th Congressional District is one of 34 congressional districts with a Republican incumbent or an open seat the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) is targeting in 2024. To read about DCCC targeting initiatives, click here. For a complete list of DCCC targeted districts, click here.