New York Democrat Josh Riley narrowly beat incumbent Marcus Molinaro

Josh Riley unseated U.S. Rep. Marcus Molinaro in New York, giving Democrats a razor-thin victory in the Republican-controlled House of Representatives.

With more than 97% of ballots counted around 2:30 a.m. Wednesday, Riley secured 50.5% of the vote in the 19th Congressional District race, while his Republican incumbent was close behind with 49.5%. The Associated Press has tipped the race in Riley's favor.

In their first matchup two years ago, Molinaro narrowly prevailed in November 2022 with 51.1% of the vote in a newly drawn district that includes Ithaca and the Finger Lakes.

Both sides spent heavily on political attack ads. During a lively television debate in early October, both questioned each other's credibility, repeatedly talked over each other and broke deadlines.

Riley accused Molinaro of “literally making things up,” while Molinaro responded that Riley was “lying again.”

Molinaro took up Republican issues such as border security throughout the campaign. He used the debate to highlight crimes he said were committed by people living in New York illegally and blamed the Biden administration for failing to agree on a Republican measure to increase enforcement at the country's southern border could.

Riley blamed Republicans for failing to support a bipartisan solution. “He (Molinaro) cares more about having a problem to advocate for than about solving the problem,” Riley said.

On the issue of abortion, Molinaro, the former Dutchess County executive who ran for governor against Andrew Cuomo in 2018, said he would oppose a statewide ban. “I want this decision to be up to you and a doctor, not Washington, D.C.,” Molinaro said, looking directly into the camera during the debate.

“He's lying to you, he's lying to you,” Riley replied.

New York Democrat Josh Riley narrowly beat incumbent Marcus Molinaro

Similar Posts

Nevada's secretary of state praises transparent elections and confirms ongoing vote count

Damon Wayans and his son star in the CBS sitcom Poppa's House

Leave a Reply Cancel reply