Since the beginning of election season, the 19th congressional district, which encompasses part of the Shawangunk Ridge, is under increasing national attention because it’s one of just a few districts that could determine whether Republicans or Democrats control the U.S. House of Representatives. The race is between Republican Marcus Molinaro, the incumbent, and his challenger, Democrat Josh Riley. As far back as February, national politics outlet Politico ran an article with a photograph of Molinaro and the headline “Control of the House Could Come Down to This New York Republican?” and since then scrutiny has only heightened.

The history of this seat is a little complicated. Historically, all of Ulster County had been in the 19th district. But a 2022 proposal to redraw the New York State district lines led to a series of state maps that were implemented and tossed out in quick succession – both by Democrats saying that a map unfairly benefited Republicans and by Republicans saying another map unfairly benefitted Democrats. The Ulster County side of the 19th district was one of the major points of contention. The county has gone back and forth, with portions now split between two districts. And from then to now, no two elections here appear to have been run with the same district border.

In May of 2022, Antonio Delgado resigned as House Representative of the 19th district to become lieutenant governor. A special election was held that August, and Democrat Pat Ryan edged out Molinaro in what was considered an upset. But, of course, that was just to decide the person who would complete Delgado’s term, so a few months later, in November of 2022, the 19th district was up for election again. By then, the voting maps had been remade and Pat Ryan, who is based out of Kingston, was switched to the 18th district, meaning the Democrats needed a new candidate.

Josh Riley, a first-time candidate based out of Ithaca, stepped in. Riley had been a lawyer and a clerk on the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. In private practice and as General Counsel to Senator Al Franken, Riley’s website says, he had worked on restoring the Voting Rights Act, enacting the Equal Rights Amendment, and overturning Citizens United. Molinaro squeaked by with a 50.8% victory, determined by a margin of under 4,500 votes.

Two years later, Riley and Molinaro are facing off again, in a new 19th district that now includes Marbletown, Rochester, Rosendale, and the Town of Shawangunk. It is one of the most tightly-contested elections in the nation, and the words exchanged between the two candidates have gotten personal. Riley has accused Molinaro of “tak[ing] food off the tables of Upstate New York seniors” by fighting for a government shutdown – even though Molinaro reportedly helped avert a shutdown last year, while Molinaro has accused Josh Riley of implementing open border policies that are “killing New Yorkers and their jobs” – even though Riley hadn’t even been in office to pass such a bill.

Attention grew on September 9, when Molinaro reposted to Facebook, Instagram, and X a tweet from the Calvin Coolidge Project alleging Haitian immigrants were eating neighbors’ pets in Springfield, Ohio. He wrote that “this crisis” was Josh Riley’s “to own.” Springfield’s police department and political leaders have repeatedly and consistently denied the claims, which have led to FBI involvement and bomb threats in the city. Riley called the posts “rage-tweeting” but Molinaro has not backed down, citing an incident in Manlius last year when three teenagers ate a rare swan from a local pond – reportedly because they thought it was a duck. Molinaro’s post got so much attention it was the sole subject of a 900-word article in Politico. This paper received several letters about it.

As the stakes get higher and the attention gets stronger, it’s become difficult to sort reality and unreality in this election. Josh Riley has highlighted among his key issues abortion rights, strengthening Medicare and Social Security, taxing corporations and the wealthy and funding alternative energy sources. Molinaro has highlighted supporting Israel, reducing taxes, rescinding “sanctuary city” policies, and continuing to use a blend of fossil fuel and greener energy sources. Each has hammered the other on perceived weaknesses. Molinaro continues to push Riley on immigration, while Riley has been highlighting claimed inconsistencies between what Molinaro says and does on abortion. The two will debate on WNYT on October 10, when they will answer voter questions.

The long-running turmoil in Congressional District 19 will continue as Election Day approaches, and, on November 5, Ulster County residents may have an outsized role in deciding the future of America. The deadline to register to vote is Saturday, October 26, 2024. You can register to vote or volunteer to be a poll worker in this historic election at the Ulster County Board of Elections website, www.VoteUlster.com.