Freshman Congressman Marc Molinaro finds himself in a familiar spot against a familiar foe, going up against Democratic Candidate Josh Riley once again for the 2024 Race for the 19th Congressional District.

The contest has become the most expensive house race and has remained firmly in the “too close to call” column. This time, the Yonkers native is running on his record

“We've had town hall meetings, coffees with your congressman. I've done hundreds of community events and met with tens of thousands of citizens and residents on every issue, from substance use to economic development, from mental health to securing our border. And I take the questions and answer because I think it's important," Molinaro said."

Born and raised in upstate New York, Molinaro credits his mother for showing him what a strong work ethic looks like.

"My parents divorced. My mother was single for a number of years, so we actually needed food stamps to to make ends meet. And, you know, my mom's one of the hardest working people I've ever met," Molinaro said. "She taught us to work hard and respect others."

In 1995, that hard work would bring Molinaro national attention at the age of 19, when he was elected mayor of his hometown of Tivoli, becoming the youngest mayor in the country

"It was an honor. I served one year on the village board. In the year later, the mayor at the time had served for 20 years, was planning to retire, and he asked me if I wanted to run for mayor," Molinaro said. 

At the same time, the young mayor would also serve as a Dutchess County Legislator. Molinaro says what he learned in those years would help him really understand the needs of local government.

"At that level of government, I dove into everything. If there was a water main break, I was in the hole fixing the water main," Molinaro said. "I dove in deep and for 12 years I served as the mayor and learned at that level of government, you learn that the decisions you make have real impacts on real people and that when the roof leaks, it leaks on Republicans and Democrats."

The Mayor of Tivoli was ready to tackle problems at the state level. In 2006, he was elected to represent the 103rd Assembly District.

"I ran for the state assembly because New York taxes you too much from property taxes to income taxes to taxes. They hide in your cell bills. And it's because this one party apparatus of New York just makes decisions, most of them driven by downstate policymakers," Molinaro said. "So when I ran for the state assembly, it was really to give voice to upstate New York."

During his five years in state assembly, Molinaro focused on driving down costs, public safety, and enhancing the environment. The Yonkers native also led efforts to clean up the Hudson River, clean indoor air, and reform child abuse and child neglect policies in the state.

"I worked across the lines all the time, worked just as well with Republicans as Democrats moved several pieces of legislation and worked to hold the governors at the time accountable," Molinaro said. 

The assemblyman soon made a return to where his political career started as Molinaro was elected Dutchess County Executive in 2011. Molinaro served as county executive for 12 years. During that time, he helped rebuild the vacant IBM facilities to house businesses, revitalized county agriculture, and non-medical mental health and substance use treatment.

Molinaro also introduced his "Think Differently" program in 2015, which removed obstacles and created opportunities for those with physical, intellectual, and developmental disabilities.

"I'm not only proud of the work we did, it's what I used to try to help counties and communities now try to create those same models for them," Molinaro said. 

After over a decade as County Executive, Molinaro made another jump in his career in February 2022, announcing his candidacy for the 19th Congressional District.

After a long-fought contest with Riley that was too close to call on Election night, Molinaro came out on top winning by 4,400 votes.

Since taking office, he has sponsored legislation that would help secure the Northern borders – to reduce the flow of drugs into the southern tier- and has secured over $50 million in federal funding for community projects.

If elected to a second term, Molinaro says a top priority would be the passage of the "Secure the Border" Act legislation:

"I've spent every day of my adult life trying to make government work for you," Molinaro said. "I believe now more than ever we have to secure this border and provide for public safety. We have to make our communities more affordable and we have to ensure those that often have a voice, have somebody fighting for them."