CONGRESS

Republican Rep. Mike Lawler talks debt ceiling fight

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

Congressional Republicans and President Biden are in a high-stakes showdown over raising the debt ceiling.

In a letter to Congress, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said “it is highly likely” the government will be unable to pay all the nation’s bills after June 1, one week away.

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Rep. Molinaro: Make Medicare coverage for telehealth permanent

BY Nick Reisman Albany/Capital Region

Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro on Friday called for a permanent extension of Medicaid coverage for telehealth services, backing a bipartisan measure in Congress.

Telehealth had become a popular option during the COVID-19 pandemic for people who still have medical appointments, but were unable to do so in person.

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More candidates enter crowded field to take down Rep. George Santos

BY Kevin Frey New York City

The field of candidates looking to take down scandal-plagued Rep. George Santos in New York’s 3rd Congressional District continues to grow.

On Monday morning, Zak Malamed became the latest to throw his hat into the ring. The 29-year-old Democrat is a native of the district, which includes parts of Queens and Nassau Counties.

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Analysis: Biden’s missed opportunity visiting Hudson Valley suburbs

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

President Joe Biden missed an opportunity to begin messaging about the migrant crisis.

He spent part of the day Wednesday in the suburbs of the Hudson Valley, arguably the most important congressional battleground of 2024. He spoke in Valhalla, at Westchester County Community College, about the possible ramifications of the U.S. defaulting on its debt. No doubt a critical issue, but nowhere as immediate, as visible, or as dramatic as the sight of hundreds of migrants being bussed to two suburban towns that don’t want them.

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Hudson Valley lawmaker assails Adams' plan to relocate migrants

BY Erica Brosnan New York City

Rockland County Rep. Mike Lawler on Monday said New York City Mayor Eric Adams cannot "dump" migrants in the Hudson Valley region and called the mayor's actions hypocritical.

"New York City chose to be a sanctuary city and so you've had a lot of governors and mayors and small town elected officials shipping migrants up to New York City. And now the city - who has taken in about 60,000 migrants - is at capacity and so, they're deciding to do the very thing that they were decrying just a few months ago," Lawler, a Republican, said during an interview with anchor Pat Kiernan on "Mornings on 1."

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Common Cause New York calls redrawing congressional maps before 2024 'politically inappropriate'

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

The New York state Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday is expected to take up the nomination of Rowan Wilson for chief judge of the Court of the Appeals. That is the court where New York’s attempts at redistricting last year came to a memorable halt when it mandated new boundaries be drawn with the help of a “special master."

Many people believe that ruling led to Republicans in New York state flipping three Democratic seats in Congress in 2022 and winning a fourth open seat.

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Rep. Langworthy assesses needs of Erie County Sheriff's Office

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy said he's made an effort since taking office to show solidarity with law enforcement and is prioritizing securing resources.

On Thursday, he toured facilities and spoke with the Erie County Sheriff's Office about its needs.

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Stefanik taking public input on federal farm bill

BY Nick Reisman Albany/Capital Region

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik's office is taking public input from farmers and those in the agriculture industry as Congress once again writes a Farm Bill to boost the sector of the economy.

Stefani's office announced Thursday it is opening an online portal and survey for farmers to register their opinions on the issue.

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Stefanik raises $3M to start year, plans re-election bid

BY Nick Reisman Albany

Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik announced Tuesday she would seek re-election to her sprawling North Country congressional district after raising $3 million during the first fundraising quarter of the year.

Stefanik is the No. 3 Republican in the U.S. House of Representatives, serving as the conference chair.

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After court rulings, Rep. Ryan introduces bill aimed at protecting abortion drug access

BY Kevin Frey Washington, D.C.

Just days after a court ruling left the future of a widely-used abortion pill uncertain, a New York lawmaker is looking to protect access to it.

On Monday, Rep. Pat Ryan formally re-introduced legislation to both reaffirm the FDA’s authority to regulate abortion medication like mifepristone and ensure patients across the country have the ability to get a prescription for it through telehealth.

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New York AG, Hochul challenge congressional district maps

BY Kate Lisa New York State

New York Attorney General Letitia James and Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday filed an amicus brief alleging the current congressional map drawn by a court-appointed special master last year must not remain in effect until 2030, or the remainder of the next decade until the next federal census.

Special Master Jonathan Cervas was appointed to redraw the lines ahead of the 2022 election after the Legislature rejected the lines crafted by the state Independent Redistricting Commission and after the state Court of Appeals rejected the lines drawn by the Legislature.

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Stefanik receives briefing on Schoharie limo crash and FBI

BY Nick Reisman Albany

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik on Wednesday said she was briefed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's relationship with a man linked to the 2018 stretch limousine crash that killed 20 people in Schoharie.

The briefing came weeks after FBI Director Chris Wray told Stefanik the bureau had completed its internal review of interactions with Shahed Hussain, who had run a limo rental business and was later revealed to be an undercover informant for the bureau.

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Rep. Langworthy says potential Trump indictment would be 'absurd'

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- House Republicans are prioritizing the passage of their energy plan this week — the first bill introduced this Congress.

U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy said it's an all-of-the above proposal that, while focusing on increasing domestic fossil fuel production and rolling back Biden administration policies, also has room for renewable sources.

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Rep. Pat Ryan on the fight for rail safety, reproductive rights

BY David Lazar Hudson Valley

It has been under 100 days since the new session of Congress began. But already, both sides of the aisle in New York are looking ahead to 2024.

The National Republican Congressional Committee has released a list of 37 districts across the country they believe can be flipped red.

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FBI completes internal review of Schoharie limo crash; Rep. Stefanik wants briefing

BY Luke Parsnow and Kevin Frey Albany/Capital Region

The FBI has completed an internal review of the agency’s involvement with the man linked to the 2018 Schoharie limo crash that killed 20 people, bureau chief Christopher Wray told members of Congress on Thursday.

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik has pressed for answers on this topic, especially since the 2022 redistricting process put Schoharie County into her district, and even threatened a subpoena of the FBI.

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Federal lawmakers again eyeing potential TikTok bans

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — It's not just for kids anymore.

American University professor and social media expert Jason Mollica said video-sharing social media platform TikTok really took off during the COVID-19 pandemic and is now among the trendiest and most popular.

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Gillibrand prepares for new Congress and upcoming re-election effort

BY Susan Arbetter and Tim Williams New York State

Fourteen years after she was appointed to fill the remainder of then-Sen. Hillary Clinton’s term, Kirsten Gillibrand is preparing to run for a third full term in her fourth statewide election. Gillibrand told Capital Tonight that she doesn’t “necessarily know if I will have a primary opponent or a general opponent but either way, I’m going to run on my record and the things I’ve actually done for New Yorkers.”

Gillibrand, a former representative in the Hudson Valley, has never received less than 60% of the vote in a statewide election. However, there has been talk that the junior senator could face a primary or general election challenge from either Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or former GOP gubernatorial nominee Lee Zeldin.

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Stefanik highlights New York bail controversy on national stage

BY Nick Reisman Albany

As Gov. Kathy Hochul seeks more changes to New York's controversial bail law, Republicans in Congress are trying to find ways of pushing back on the national stage.

Rep. Elise Stefanik is trying to encourage states to not pass laws like New York's measure that largely ended cash bail requirements for many criminal charges — highlighting the issue this week by inviting Montgomery County Sheriff Jeff Smith to President Joe Biden's State of the Union address.

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Rep. Molinaro to serve on House Committee on Small Business

BY Luke Parsnow Hudson Valley

Freshman Rep. Marc Molinaro has now been seated on his third House committee — this one the House Committee on Small Business.

The panel has jurisdiction over issues related to small businesses and conducts oversight over the Small Business Administration.

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Rep. Brandon Williams to serve on House Science, Space and Technology Committee

BY Luke Parsnow Central NY

U.S. Rep. Brandon Williams, the new Republican congressman representing Central New York, has secured his second House committee assignment, this time on the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology.

The panel deals with matters of consumer health and safety, product regulation, digital privacy and security, as well as energy production and consumption practices.

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New York House members vote on party lines in speakership vote

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

New York's 26 members of the U.S. House of Representatives — including the eight new freshmen — voted along party lines in Tuesday's historic vote on Capitol Hill for the next speaker of the chamber that resulted in the first House speaker nominee in 100 years to lose the initial vote for the powerful position.

On the first day the new Congress convened in Washington, California Republican Rep. Kevin McCarthy was the favorite to take the speaker's gavel after the GOP retook the majority in the midterm elections, but failed to garner the required votes, forcing a second and third ballot that also resulted in defeats for McCarthy. Nineteen Republicans voted against McCarthy in the first and second rounds, and 20 voted against him in the third.

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Rep. John Katko touts accomplishments, urges bipartisanship in farewell address to Congress

BY Luke Parsnow Central NY

U.S. Rep. John Katko said he was proud of his bipartisan work over the last eight years representing Central New York in Congress and encouraged his colleagues to work across the aisle after he’s gone during a farewell address on the House of Representatives floor Wednesday morning.

“I am proud of the work we have done over the past eight years to unite people and solve serious problems,” Katko said. “I focused on unifying issues. Regularly introduced bills with Democratic cosponsors, broke with my own party when it was in the best interest of Central New York, remained an active member of the Problem Solvers Caucus. I am proud to have led and grown the Republican Governance Group.”

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Stefanik vows subpoena for FBI records in Schoharie limousine crash

BY Nick Reisman Albany

The Federal Bureau of Investigation will face a congressional subpoena as part of an effort to better understand its connections to the owner of a stretch limousine that crashed in 2018 and killed 20 people, Rep. Elise Stefanik said Tuesday.

Stefanik has signaled over the last year a Republican majority would seek more information from the FBI on Shahed Hussain, who had run a limo rental business and had been an undercover informant for the bureau.

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Behind Congress' purpose for passing Respect For Marriage Act

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The Respect for Marriage Act will require that all states recognize marriages legally performed in other states.

U.S. Rep. Brian Higgins, a co-sponsor of the bill, said there was concern the U.S. Supreme Court could strike down previous precedent, allowing states to impose bans.

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What Sen. Raphael Warnock's re-election in Georgia means for Chuck Schumer

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer came into the 2022 midterm elections in a very precarious position. Republicans only needed to gain one Senate seat to retake control of the upper chamber, putting an end to his brief tenure as majority leader.

Instead, the New York lawmaker will continue leading the Senate following a historic political feat. Not only did every single Democratic incumbent senator win re-election — an accomplishment no party in power has achieved since the 1930s — but he will be a leader with one more member of his caucus, confirmed by Sen. Raphael Warnock's victory over Republican Herschel Walker in Tuesday’s Georgia Senate runoff election.

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Democratic voter looks to Rep. Pat Ryan's first full term in Congress

BY Noorulain Khawaja Hudson Valley

For Brian Mandel, part of his political identity lives in his garage: a license plate from his time in Washington, D.C.

“I went to D.C. for college, and I spent about 10 years down there before I moved back up to the Hudson Valley,” Mandel said. “I learned a lot while I was there, it was a really great place to become engaged, and to learn about how politics works, the good and bad of it.”

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Lifelong Republican reflects on NY-18 race, how to unify Americans

BY Noorulain Khawaja Hudson Valley

The midterm elections have come and gone. As the final puzzle pieces to the next Congress fall into place, Republicans will retake the House of Representatives in January while the Senate will stay in Democratic hands, a sign that political divisions in this country continue to run deep.

Timothy Finnegan wears many hats. He’s a veteran, a volunteer firefighter, and the owner of Finnegan’s Pub in Woodbury.

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Hakeem Jeffries announces bid to replace Pelosi as House Democratic leader

BY Kevin Frey , Associated Press and Ryan Chatelain Washington, D.C.
UPDATED 6:38 PM ET Nov. 18, 2022

Rep. Hakeem Jeffries on Friday officially tossed his name into the race to replace Nancy Pelosi as Democratic House leader, writing a letter to colleagues asking for their support.

"When I initially sought the position of Chair of the House Democratic Caucus two terms ago, none of us could have predicted the challenges the American people would confront in the years to come," Jeffries wrote. "However, time and time again, throughout a period of enormous turmoil for our nation, House Democrats rose to the occasion.

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Democrats look within following election losses in New York

BY Susan Arbetter and Tim Williams New York State

Despite a nationwide “red ripple," the Republican Party was able to gain some key congressional seats in New York which helped pave the way to a small House majority.

State Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, a Bronx Democrat who will be leaving office in January, is one of a growing number of Democrats looking for change at the top of her own party following the midterm elections. Biaggi told Capital Tonight that a lack of strategy and long-term vision by the party’s current chair, Jay Jacobs, led to the party’s defeats in New York.

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Republican Brandon Williams wins competitive open race to succeed Katko in NY-22; Francis Conole concedes

BY Luke Parsnow Central NY
UPDATED 6:59 PM ET Nov. 16, 2022

Republican Brandon Williams will represent Central New York in the House of Representatives after defeating Democrat Francis Conole in the race for New York's 22nd Congressional District, the Associated Press projected late Monday, concluding one of the most closely watched competitive contests in the state and nation.

The software company founder and U.S. Navy veteran will succeed Republican Rep. John Katko in Congress, keeping the seat in Republican hands and once again dashing Democrats’ hopes of flipping the Syracuse-based district to their column.

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Senate won for Democrats, 'It's the year of Chuck Schumer'

BY Associated Press New York State

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer was eating Peking duck at a Chinese restaurant with family and friends on Manhattan’s West side on Saturday evening when an aide called with urgent news: Democrats would win Nevada’s Senate seat and keep their majority.

The restaurant erupted in cheers as the news flashed across a television screen, and a group celebrating a birthday sent him a slice of cake.

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GOP Rep.-elect Mike Lawler on how he defeated Sean Patrick Maloney

BY Susan Arbetter and Tim Williams Hudson Valley

Despite a nationwide “red ripple," the Republican Party saw a wave election in the Empire State on the congressional level with freshman state Assemblyman Mike Lawler toppling the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee Sean Patrick Maloney in New York's 17th Congressional District.

Lawler credits redistricting and voters wanting balance in a country, state and region heavily controlled by Democrats as reasons for his win.

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New York GOP Chair Langworthy touts ‘very good’ night despite losing governor’s race

BY Susan Arbetter and Tim Williams New York State

Despite putting up the strongest showing in a gubernatorial race since George Pataki, the Grand Old Party fell short of the Executive Mansion yet again but the party’s chairman, Nick Langworthy, still touts the results in New York as very good.

Langworthy highlights major congressional wins on Long Island and in the Hudson Valley as Republican bright spots in an election that was considered a red ripple over a wave election nationwide.

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Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, DCCC chair, concedes NY-17 race to Mike Lawler

BY Luke Parsnow and Brooke Reilly Hudson Valley
UPDATED 6:00 PM ET Nov. 09, 2022

U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, the man charged with electing Democrats to the House of Representatives, has conceded the race for the 17th Congressional District between him and state Assemblyman Mike Lawler.

According to the latest unofficial vote totals, Lawler leads Maloney 50.6% to 49.4%, with a vote difference of around 3,250 votes, as of Wednesday morning. Maloney conceded Wednesday morning.

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Marc Molinaro defeats Josh Riley in race for NY-19 seat

BY Luke Parsnow New York State
UPDATED 12:14 PM ET Nov. 09, 2022

Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro has defeated Democrat Josh Riley in the race for New York’s 19th Congressional District, the Associated Press projects, returning the Hudson Valley and Southern Tier seat to Republican hands after four years.

With 95% of the expected vote reporting, the Dutchess County executive leads 51% to Riley's 49%, a vote difference of 6,185 votes.

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Rep. Stefanik celebrates win, eyes staying as House GOP Conference chair

BY Kate Lisa Northern NY
UPDATED 7:12 AM ET Nov. 09, 2022

Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik greeted an eager crowd in Queensbury to celebrate winning her fifth term representing the 21st District on Tuesday night.

She's the projected winner over Democrat Matt Castelli with nearly 59% of the vote early Wednesday morning, according to unofficial results from the state Board of Elections.

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AP Projection: Rep. Joe Morelle re-elected to third term in Congress, beats La’Ron Singletary in NY-25

BY Luke Parsnow Rochester

Rep. Joe Morelle has won a third full term in Congress, the Associated Press projects, defeating Republican challenger La’Ron Singletary.

Morelle will return to Washington to represent the Rochester area in the 25th Congressional District seat, which encompasses all of Monroe County and five towns on the eastern border of Orleans County.

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Rep. Pat Ryan wins full congressional term with victory in NY-18 race

BY Luke Parsnow Hudson Valley
UPDATED 1:54 AM ET Nov. 09, 2022

Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan has secured a full term in Congress, defeating Republican Colin Schmitt in the race for New York’s 18th Congressional District after Schmitt conceded early Wednesday morning.

With 93% of votes counted early Wednesday, Ryan held a modest 50.4% to 49.6% lead over Schmitt, according to The Associated Press.

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Rep. Claudia Tenney wins re-election to Congress in new House district

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

Rep. Claudia Tenney will be going back to Congress as a representative for the new 24th District. The Republican lawmaker defeated Democrat Steven Holden in the race for the congressional seat that snakes along much of Lake Ontario’s shoreline, the Associated Press projects.

This is the first time Tenney has won a re-election bid as a member of Congress.

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State GOP Chair Nick Langworthy defeats Max Della Pia in race for NY-23 seat

BY Luke Parsnow Western New York

State Republican Party Chair Nick Langworthy has bested Democrat Max Della Pia in the race for New York’s 23rd Congressional District, The Associated Press projected.

Langworthy will fill the Western New York House seat that was vacated by Republican Rep. Chris Jacobs this spring when he decided not to run for re-election.

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Rep. Brian Higgins re-elected to another term in NY-26

BY Luke Parsnow Buffalo

Democratic Rep. Brian Higgins has been re-elected to a 10th term in Congress, defeating Republican challenger Steven Sams in the race for New York’s 26th Congressional District, the Associated Press projects.

Higgins has represented the Western New York district since 2005. The new boundaries encompass Buffalo and Niagara Falls.

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5 things to watch for on Election Day in New York

BY Nick Reisman Albany

New York voters head to the polls Tuesday to consider all statewide offices in Albany, a U.S. Senate seat, 26 congressional seats and all 213 seats in the state Legislature.

There are judgeships up for grabs, local ballot questions and a proposed $4.2 billion bond act for environmental infrastructure for voters to consider as well.

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5 takeaways from Spectrum News/Siena College poll on NY-22 as election nears

BY Luke Parsnow Central NY

Election Day is just days away and the race for New York’s 22nd Congressional District between Democrat Francis Conole and Republican Brandon Williams is one of the most closely watched House contests in the state.

An exclusive Spectrum News 1/Siena College poll released Friday, compared to one released a month ago, provides some insight before votes actually begin being tabulated.

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Exclusive Spectrum News 1/Siena College poll: Josh Riley leads Marc Molinaro in race for NY-19

BY Nick Reisman New York State

Democratic congressional candidate Josh Riley holds a 5-percentage point advantage over Republican Marc Molinaro in the 19th Congressional District, according to an exclusive Spectrum News 1/Siena College poll released on Friday morning.

The poll shows no change in the gap between the two candidates when an earlier poll was released on Oct. 6. And the difference in support for Molinaro and Riley is within the poll's 5-percentage point margin of error.

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Exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll: Francis Conole holds slight lead over Brandon Williams in race for NY-22

BY Jack Arpey and Luke Parsnow Central NY

Democrat Francis Conole has pulled ahead of Republican Brandon Williams in the race for New York’s 22nd Congressional District, though the race remains a close one, an exclusive Spectrum News 1/Siena College poll released Friday found.

The poll shows Conole drawing 46% of support, with 42% saying they are backing Williams. That's a reversal from an exclusive Spectrum News 1/Siena College poll from early October, which had Williams leading Conole 45% to 40% for the Central New York House seat. With a four-point difference between the two, the result falls within the survey’s 5-point margin of error.

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Upstate New York, including NY-19, could hold the key to a House majority

BY Susan Arbetter and Tim Williams New York State

Voters in New York's 19th Congressional District could help determine which party controls the House of Representatives come January. In just five days, Democrat Josh Riley and Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro will face off in a district that spans from Binghamton to the Massachusetts border.

The district is currently represented by Democrat Pat Ryan who bested Molinaro in a special election to fill the remainder of Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado’s unexpired term. Ryan is running for re-election in the 18th District due to redistricting.

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Tonko and Joy offer different solutions in NY-20 rematch

BY Jaclyn Cangro Albany County

Two years ago, Rep. Paul Tonko defeated Republican challenger Liz Joy by more than 20 points. The two are running against each other again this year in Congressional District 20.

Tonko and Joy hold major differences in positions on several topics, including inflation and the economy.

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After 8 years of Katko, CNY congressional seat back in the political wilderness

BY Luke Parsnow Central NY

Democrat Francis Conole and Republican Brandon Williams have spent two months making their case to voters in the new competitive — and unpredictable — 22nd Congressional District, and have a week left to get through to voters.

The voters are from a district that includes all of Onondaga, Madison and Oneida counties, as well as a small sliver of southeastern Oswego County. Comprising the cities of Syracuse, Utica and Rome, as well as large rural swaths of Central New York and the Mohawk Valley, the district has a diverse electorate from varied walks of life.

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Tenney faces challenger in new lakeshore congressional district

BY Brian Dwyer Watertown
UPDATED 11:37 AM ET Oct. 31, 2022

One of the major changes when it came to redrawing the state’s congressional lines, is the new 24th district. This new creation is close to 250 miles from one end to the other and close to 700 square miles in all. The two candidates hoping to represent the 24th, understand the challenges of a new region and the need to bring people together.

“I was in Niagara County last night. I’m here today. I’m going to be in Wayne County. I’m going to be in just about every county this week. Within a week, I try to hit 12 counties,” U.S. Rep. Claudia Tenney said.

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Schumer, Pinion debate in U.S. Senate contest on Spectrum News/NY1

BY Nick Reisman Albany
UPDATED 10:20 PM ET Oct. 30, 2022

As he debated his Republican opponent Joe Pinion Sunday night, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer defended his record as a top Democrat in Washington.

"In the last two years under my leadership, the Senate has had the most productive session in decades," Schumer said.

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Analysis: Chuck Schumer, Joe Pinion debate on Spectrum News in race for U.S. Senate seat

BY Spectrum News Staff New York State
UPDATED 8:10 PM ET Oct. 30, 2022

With early voting underway in New York state, Democrat and U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer and his Republican challenger, Joseph Pinion, faced off in a televised debate on Spectrum News in the race for one of New York's seats in the upper chamber.

The one-hour event, held at Union College, was moderated by "Inside City Hall" host Errol Louis and "Capital Tonight" political anchor Susan Arbetter.

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Schumer and Pinion to debate Sunday on Spectrum News

BY Nick Reisman Albany

One man is fighitng to keep his thin Senate majority intact. The other man wants to make history.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and his Republican rival Joe Pinion will face off Sunday in an exclusive debate on Spectrum News 1 and NY1 in what is expected to be the only televised debate of the campaign.

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Jill Biden to visit New York for events alongside Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, Robert Zimmerman

BY Luke Parsnow and Kevin Frey Hudson Valley

First Lady Jill Biden will visit New York state over the weekend to give remarks at political events, including one with Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and congressional candidate Robert Zimmerman.

Biden will be in Mount Kisco, in Westchester County, on Sunday with Maloney, the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

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New York House Republicans urge reversal of farm labor overtime change

BY Nick Reisman Albany

Rep. Elise Stefanik's office on Wednesday is releasing a letter to state labor officials calling for a reversal of New York's plan to lower the overtime threshold for farm workers from 60 hours a week to 40.

Republicans who represent New York in the House of Representatives sent the letter as part of the public comment period before the change goes into effect by the end of the year.

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Will the Micron deal impact the race for NY-22?

BY Luke Parsnow Central NY

The announcement earlier this month of Micron’s $100 billion investment in a chip manufacturing facility in Central New York has been lauded by politicians of both parties and all office levels.

President Joe Biden will visit the region on Thursday to add his voice to that choir.

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Democratic backers increase spending for Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney as experts say race is tightening

BY Luke Parsnow and Kevin Frey Hudson Valley

With about two weeks before Election Day, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is investing more than half a million dollars into a new TV advertisement for Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney — the chair of the DCCC — in his bid for the 17th Congressional District in New York’s Hudson Valley.

The DCCC confirmed to Spectrum News 1 Monday that the DCCC is spending $605,000 on the ad attacking Maloney's opponent to “ensure we hold a seat that is critical to Democrats maintaining the majority.”

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Democrat Francis Conole sets his eyes on flipping Syracuse-area congressional seat

BY Tim Williams New York State

The congressional race in Central New York between Democrat Francis Conole and Republican Brandon Williams will be one to watch in a close race for power in the House of Representatives.

Francis Conole, an Iraq War veteran, told Capital Tonight that he’s running because the country and his community faces “incredible challenges and a multitude of crises” that he wants to confront.

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Veteran who attacked Lee Zeldin at rally to be released to rehab facility

BY Ryan Whalen Rochester
UPDATED 2:31 PM ET Oct. 20, 2022

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The man accused of attacking Republican gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin at a July rally in Western New York is set to be released from custody next week and admitted to an alcohol treatment program.

A federal magistrate judge ordered David Jakubonis's release for Monday under a series of conditions, including he immediately check into the inpatient alcohol treatment center at the Bath VA Medical Center. The defendant's attorney, John DeMarco, said the rehabilitation program should take roughly 28 days, then he will be at the Richards House, a Veterans Outreach Center facility in downtown Rochester.

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Pat Ryan, Colin Schmitt talk housing, abortion, migrant flights in Spectrum News 1 debate

BY Abbey Carnivale Hudson Valley

The winner of the race in New York's 18th Congressional District could determine the balance of power in the House of Representatives in the coming November elections and Spectrum News 1 hosted the only televised debate in the race at Marist College on Tuesday.

Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan, who won a special election in August to fill the remainder of the term in the 19th District, is facing off against Republican state Assemblyman Colin Schmitt.

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NY-25 candidates Joe Morelle and La’Ron Singletary have different priorities

BY Susan Arbetter New York State

The newly drawn 25th Congressional District of New York, which sits along the southern coast of Lake Ontario, includes most of Orleans County and all of Monroe County — basically the city of Rochester and its surroundings. While the city has some of the highest child poverty rates in the country, and the city’s school district has been on the brink of bankruptcy, many of the suburbs that surround the city are quite wealthy and tout some of the best schools in the country.

The two candidates are also very different. Democrat and incumbent Rep. Joe Morelle, who served the area for years in the state Assembly, is vying for his third full term in Congress, while Republican La’Ron Singletary is a former Rochester police chief and relative newcomer to electoral politics.

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Could Chris Jacobs' political future include an Erie County executive run?

BY Ryan Whalen Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- This week some voters have received robocalls asking for opinions on the job performance of current Democratic Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and who they would prefer in a county executive's race next year between him and current Republican Rep. Chris Jacobs.

GOP analyst Jeff Williams said he's aware of the poll, although he's not sure who is behind it.

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New York League of Conservation Voters issues endorsements in key races

BY Nick Reisman Albany

The New York League of Conservation Voters on Wednesday formally released its final slate of endorsements for the 2022 general election, backing 22 candidates in key races across the state.

The group's endorsements come as environmental organizations are also pushing for the approval of a bond act to boost environmental infrastructure in the state.

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GOP Rep. Chris Jacobs doubles down on controls for high-powered guns

BY Associated Press New York State

After back-to-back mass shootings last spring, including one that killed 10 people at a supermarket not far from his suburban Buffalo home, Republican U.S. Rep. Chris Jacobs made a decision.

If an assault weapons ban came to the House floor, he would support it, he told voters in his conservative congressional district.

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Schumer agrees to Spectrum News debate with Pinion, comptroller candidates also to debate

BY Spectrum News Staff and Joseph Konig New York State

Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer agreed to a Spectrum News debate with his Republican challenger Joseph Pinion on Sunday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.

Schumer, who began his tenure as majority leader in 2021, is seeking his fifth term in the U.S. Senate. Pinion is a former Newsmax host and is the Republican and Conservative parties nominee to take on Schumer, becoming the first Black person to receive a major party's nomination for Senate in New York.

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Ulster County sheriff endorses Pat Ryan for Congress

BY Nick Reisman Albany

Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan's bid for a full term in Congress was endorsed Thursday by Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa.

The endorsement from Figueroa in a 30-second video comes weeks after Ryan was first elected to Congress in an Aug. 24 special election to replace Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado in what had been a battleground House seat in the Hudson Valley.

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New York Democrats tout CHIPS Act in big week of tech manufacturing project announcements as Election Day nears

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

With the midterm elections just over a month away and concerns about the economy atop voters’ minds, New York Democrats at various office levels seized the opportunity to tout major announcements in technological manufacturing projects this week in several parts of the state, as well as the legislation instrumental in making those projects possible.

The climax came on Thursday with a visit by President Joe Biden in Poughkeepsie to celebrate the announcement that IBM will invest $20 billion to cover research, development and manufacturing of semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence across the Hudson Valley over the next decade.

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Exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll shows Riley leading Molinaro in NY-19

BY Nick Reisman New York State

Democratic congressional candidate Josh Riley holds a 5-percentage point advantage over Republican Marc Molinaro in the 19th Congressional District race, an exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll released Thursday morning found.

The poll found Riley drawing 46% of the vote compared to Molinaro's 41%. That is within a 5 percentage-point margin of error of a survey of 470 likely voters conducted in the district from Sept. 25 to Sept. 28.

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Cost of living, social issues take center stage in race for NY-23

BY Tim Williams New York State

The race for New York's 23rd Congressional District is taking shape with crime, abortion and the cost of living taking center stage in the faceoff between Democrat Max Della Pia and Republican Nick Langworthy.

The redesigned district stretches from Chemung County in the Southern Tier to the suburbs of Erie County in Western New York.

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Analysis: Spectrum News/Siena College poll finds CNY House district remains a competitive battleground

BY Luke Parsnow Central NY

Before Rep. John Katko’s tenure representing Central New York in Congress, the Syracuse-based district swung back and forth politically for a few election cycles, voting out the incumbent party for a decade. And despite Katko’s comfortable re-election victories, his seat has always been viewed by both parties as a competitive one every two years.

Following Katko’s decision not to seek another term, a messy redistricting process that amended the district’s borders and a lively primary race for both parties in August, an exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll released Tuesday provides the best indicator yet that the new district and the race to succeed Katko remains a competitive one.

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New York lawmakers want more restrictions eased on Canadian travel

BY Nick Reisman Albany

Democratic lawmakers in Congress are urging the Biden administration to further ease cross-border travel restrictions after Canada lifted travel regulations earlier this week.

Border communities near Canada have struggled economically during the pandemic as travel was limited. Canada on Oct. 1 lifted COVID-19 related rules for testing and vaccinations.

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Exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll: Brandon Williams and Francis Conole wage close race for NY-22

BY Nick Reisman Central NY

Republican Brandon Williams draws 45% of support from voters in New York's 22nd Congressional District compared to the 40% of voters backing his Democratic opponent, Francis Conole, an exclusive Spectrum News/Siena College poll released Tuesday found.

The district in Central New York, comprising Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and part of Oswego counties, is part of a region that has long been a battleground area for both parties in Congress and could be a key seat as they vie for control of the House of Representatives this election season.

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Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand wants review of milk pricing system

BY Nick Reisman New York State

U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand called for a review of the federal milk pricing system in order to help modernize how farmers are paid for their products.

Gillibrand's push to have the U.S. Government Accountability Office review the pricing system dovetails with a bill she introduced that would make changes to how farmers are compensated.

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'It's a numbers game' in NY-21 as voters weigh Stefanik, Castelli

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Note: This is the second installment of a two-part series. Spectrum News 1 featured a three-part series about Stefanik's rise through the Republican Party earlier this month.

New Yorkers in the 21st Congressional District, represented by Republican Elise Stefanik, have continued to support the congresswoman as she's moved politically farther to the right since taking office in 2015.

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Stefanik's opponent Matt Castelli stresses moderate campaign in NY-21 race

BY Kate Lisa New York State

Note: This is part one of a two-part series. Spectrum News 1 featured a three-part series about Stefanik's rise through the Republican party earlier this month.

Former CIA officer Matt Castelli, a Democrat campaigning for the 21st Congressional District seat, says his middle-of-the-road platform would bring much-needed change in the North Country.

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NY-17 GOP candidate Michael Lawler on SALT, crime and congestion pricing

BY Susan Arbetter Hudson Valley

New York's 17th Congressional District in the lower Hudson Valley race pits current 18th District incumbent Democratic Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney against first-term state Assemblyman Republican Michael Lawler, of Rockland County.

It’s Maloney’s race to lose: not only does he have the benefit of incumbency, he is the head of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, so he’s responsible for getting Democrats elected this cycle.

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Nick Langworthy criticizes Biden administration over energy prices, inflation

BY Ryan Whalen West Seneca

WEST SENECA, N.Y. -- National Grid is forecasting typical customers will pay about $263 or 39% more than last year on natural gas between the beginning of November and end of March in order to heat their homes.

"That is a staggering increase that is simply unaffordable for many, many people across Western New York and the Southern Tier," Republican congressional candidate Nick Langworthy said.

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Rep. Elise Stefanik to run again for House GOP Conference chair in next Congress

BY Luke Parsnow New York State

U.S. Rep. Elise Stefanik intends to run again for chair of the House Republican Conference in the next Congress, she announced Tuesday.

“For the next 56 days, I’m laser-focused on working to ensure we earn a historic Republican Majority. I am proud to have unified the entire Republican Conference around our country in crisis message and shattered fundraising records as House GOP Conference Chair raising over $10M for candidates and committees this cycle," the congresswoman said in a statement. "With the broad support of NY21 and my House GOP colleagues, I intend to run for Conference Chair in the next Congress.”

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New York House Republican candidates receive labor backing

BY Nick Reisman Albany

Republicans running for the U.S. House of Representatives in New York on Tuesday announced endorsements from key labor unions as the party hopes to build a working majority in Congress this fall.

Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro won the backing of the Civil Service Employees Association, the state's largest public workers union, in his campaign for the newly drawn 19th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley.

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Castelli touts additional ballot line in NY-21

BY Nick Reisman Albany

Democratic congressional candidate Matt Castelli on Monday is running on an additional ballot line this November in his bid against Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik.

Castelli is running on a ballot line dubbed the Moderate Party after a successful petition drive.

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