Republican U.S. Rep. Marc Molinaro thanked his constituents and colleagues in his farewell remarks to Congress Wednesday as he exits his role as representative for New York's 19th Congressional District, while also promising to have a future in public service.

“To the people of NY-19: thank you. Thank you for your trust, your support, and your unwavering belief in me. Representing you was never just a job; it was a deeply personal mission,” Molinaro said on the House floor. “Your faith in me inspired every decision I made, every vote I cast and every moment I spent advocating for our shared future. Together, we focused on what truly matters: delivering results for the people and places that make our district extraordinary.”

Molinaro narrowly lost his bid for a second term to Democrat Josh Riley. Molinaro has a long career in politics, spanning from a young mayor, to Dutchess County executive to congressman. He was also the Republican nominee for governor in 2018.

That doesn’t necessarily mean his single term in the House of Representatives is the end of that.

“As my time in Congress comes to an end, let me be clear: public service is not just something I do — it is who I am,” Molinaro said. “This is not goodbye. It is the start of a new chapter. I will continue to fight for the values we share, advocate for the communities we love, and work tirelessly to make our country better, stronger, and more united. And, yes, perhaps I will be blessed with the opportunity to serve here in this most fundamentally American deliberative house again.”

One of the potential opportunities is if he decides to make a play for Rep. Elise Stefanik’s seat, which would be vacant if she were to be confirmed as U.N. ambassador, as she is expected to be. In special elections for Congress in New York state, local party committees choose their candidates, meaning Molinaro would have to win the approval of local GOP committees to be the Republican nominee in a special election, which would likely take place some time next spring. When asked by Spectrum News 1 shortly after his loss if he would consider making a bid for that spot, he didn’t rule it out.

Riley will be sworn in as Molinaro’s successor in January. The 19th District stretches from Rensselaer and Columbia counties in the east to Tompkins County and includes the cities of Binghamton and Ithaca.