In a major upset, Democrat Josh Riley has been projected to unseat first-term Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro in New York’s 19th Congressional District. This victory delivers a blow to House Republicans’ hopes of maintaining control of the chamber in the upcoming year. The battle for this district, encompassing parts of upstate New York, the Hudson Valley, and suburbs outside New York City and Albany, was among the most expensive congressional races in the nation, with both sides and their allies pouring over $35 million into digital and TV advertisements.
The Associated Press declared Riley the winner in the early hours of Wednesday morning, signaling a potential shift in the national political landscape. The race was widely viewed as a proxy for the national conversation surrounding critical issues like border security and abortion, which have become highly polarized topics in recent elections.
Molinaro, who was elected in 2022, narrowly defeated Riley by less than 2% amidst a wave of suburban backlash against New York City’s progressive crime policies. He was among a handful of Republicans who secured victories in districts won by President Biden in the 2020 presidential election.
Riley’s campaign emphasized his roots as a fifth-generation upstate New Yorker hailing from humble beginnings. He also touted his experience as general counsel to former Sen. Al Franken on the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Molinaro’s loss in the district, which was considered competitive but not as vulnerable as other New York Republican seats closer to urban areas, has sent shockwaves through the GOP. It serves as a warning sign for Republicans across the board, as they face the prospect of losing control of the House. As of the AP’s projection, Republicans were projected to have won 184 seats, compared to 156 for House Democrats.
