Democrat Josh Riley announced he will seek New York's 19th Congressional District seat in the 2024 election. His bid comes after Republican Marc Molinaro defeated him in 2022 in a narrow 2-point race. Molinaro received 50.24% of the total vote, while Riley had just 48.08%.
In our economy and our politics, the deck has been stacked against working folks.
— Josh Riley (@JoshRileyUE) April 11, 2023
I’m running for Congress to change that. #NY19 pic.twitter.com/tu19hEKOi9
The fifth-generation Upstate New York native entered the race Tuesday with a statement, “It's the values and the work ethic I learned growing up here that have guided my career-civil rights work for kids who needed healthcare; bringing Democrats and Republicans together to fight the opioid epidemic; taking on big corporations that were ripping off consumers, workers, small businesses.”
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In his announcement, Riley went on to say he learned how to “give people the benefit of the doubt” by being a Democrat who grew up in a Republican family.
Riley outlined the values he intends to run on by promising to protect Social Security and Medicare, defend a woman’s right to choose, fight climate change, and fight to strengthen the middle class.
Less than six months after his defeat in the midterm election, Riley has gained support from 20 Democratic county leaders across New York's 19th District. In a signed letter, the Democratic committees write, “Josh ran an exceptionally strong campaign in 2022, turning out a higher percentage of Democratic voters than any other House campaign in the State while also winning substantial Republican and Independent support.”
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The 19th District is lining up to be one of New York’s most competitive races yet again. The district, which stretches beyond Hudson Valley into the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes, was part of a handful of elections that were close in 2022. The GOP flipped two seats in the Hudson Valley last year and is expected to put up a tough fight to keep control of the House.
“I'm running for Congress because Upstate NYers deserve better than politics-as-usual,” Riley wrote. “Corrupt career politicians and special interests have sold out Upstate New York families. That has to change.”