In a race that some observers called a preview of the November midterms, Democratic Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan defeated Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. Ryan will replace former Democratic New York Rep. Antonio Delgado, who stepped down in May to serve as lieutenant governor.
With more than 95% of votes counted, Ryan received 52% support, while Molinaro garnered 48%. Ryan will serve in the position through January. Molinaro will face off against Democrat Josh Riley in November to serve a full term in the 19th, while Ryan will run in the 18th District’s general election against Republican Colin Schmitt.
Several elections analysts called the race shortly after 11:30pm (eastern time). (RELATED: Rep. Jerry Nadler Defeats Fellow NY Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney In Gaffe-Filled Member Versus Member Primary)
Decision Desk HQ projects Pat Ryan (D) is the winner of the special election for U.S. House District 19 in New York, defeating Marc Molinaro (R)#DecisionMade: 11:32pm EDT
Follow more results here: https://t.co/joiucISVxD
— Decision Desk HQ (@DecisionDeskHQ) August 24, 2022
Due to the district’s perceived toss-up status, as well as the race’s proximity to November, many analysts considered the race a preview of the midterms. The 19th District leans four points toward the GOP, according to FiveThirtyEight. Despite Ryan’s win, the House midterm environment is still expected to be poor for Democrats. Republicans need to swing only five seats to retake the majority in the lower chamber.
The special election turned on national issues, also in a likely forecast of November. Molinaro highlighted inflation in his messaging, blaming “the failed policies of the Biden administration and one-party rule in Washington and Albany” for rising prices. Ryan campaigned on the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, claiming that “freedom includes a woman’s right to choose” abortion.
Internal polling by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee conducted less than three weeks before the race found Molinaro leading 46%-43%. The same poll found 11% of voters remained undecided, suggesting that late-breaking voters supported Ryan.
Delgado, who had held the seat since 2019, left Congress in May after Democratic New York Gov. Kathy Hochul named him her number two. Former Democratic Lt. Gov. Brian Benjamin resigned after eight months in office once the FBI arrested him on fraud charges related to alleged campaign finance violations.
