Democrat Josh Riley Secures Victory in New York’s 19th Congressional District
In a significant political upset, Democrat Josh Riley has emerged victorious over the Republican incumbent, Representative Marc Molinaro, as reported by The Associated Press. This win marks a crucial flip in New York’s 19th Congressional District, which has been one of the most closely monitored House races in this electoral cycle.
Riley, a lawyer and former U.S. Senate policy analyst, campaigned vigorously against what he termed the unethical practices of profit-driven corporations and the politicians aligned with them. He made a steadfast commitment to refuse contributions from corporate PACs and championed support for term limits. Additionally, he underscored his dedication to defending abortion rights, positioning himself as a staunch advocate for women’s health issues.
The district, encompassing parts of New York’s scenic Hudson Valley, the Catskills, and the Southern Tier, was widely regarded as a competitive battleground. The high stakes of the race led to a remarkable total spending of approximately $45 million, with a significant portion allocated to advertisements where both candidates leveled accusations of corruption and deceit against each other.
With Riley’s victory, Democrats have successfully flipped two seats previously held by Republican incumbents in New York; earlier on the same day, State Senator John Mannion triumphed over Representative Brandon Williams in a neighboring district.
Riley’s campaign advertisements highlighted Molinaro’s voting record in Congress, particularly his decisions that made it more challenging for individuals to access abortion services. These ads served as evidence that his opponent would not resist efforts toward a national abortion ban. In contrast, Molinaro consistently claimed to oppose such a ban.
Throughout the campaign, Molinaro sought to undermine Riley by criticizing the influx of undocumented immigrants, arguing that they have imposed a financial burden on New York State taxpayers, costing them approximately $2.4 billion this year alone.
A former county executive and state legislator, Molinaro had previously built a reputation as a pragmatic bipartisan leader. However, this year he shifted towards a more conservative stance, even endorsing a conspiracy theory popularized by former President Donald J. Trump, which falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants in Ohio were resorting to consuming pet dogs and cats. Molinaro has since continued to stand by this discredited assertion, refusing to issue an apology.
As the election results came in late Tuesday night, Molinaro released a statement acknowledging the apparent defeat while refraining from a formal concession. He expressed gratitude to his family, friends, and supporters, stating, “While we would have liked to end tonight with more votes, we want to be sure every absentee and affidavit is counted. I’m so grateful to my family, friends and supporters, and will have more to say in the coming days.”
