The New York Times: In Heated House Race, a Moderate Republican Goes Full Trump

"Mr. Molinaro has dug in deeper than most, embracing far-right rhetoric and occasionally going so far as to indulge in racist conspiracy theories."

In the final stretch before Election Day, Marc Molinaro and Josh Riley are presenting starkly different agendas for Upstate New Yorkers, according to new reporting from the New York Times.

Molinaro, who once was touted as a "normal" Republican, is "embracing far-right rhetoric," backing "Mr. Trump and leaning heavily on anti-immigrant sentiment," and even "going so far as to indulge in racist conspiracy theories." Molinaro's "rightward pivot has been noticed by observers across the political spectrum, baffling his allies as well as some institutional supporters."

Meanwhile NY-19 Democratic nominee Josh Riley has mobilized a "powerful operation" outlining his vision to restore Roe v. Wade protections, secure the border, and take on corporations selling out Upstate New Yorkers.

DCCC Spokesperson Ellie Dougherty:
"As Marc Molinaro embraces anti-abortion and far-right extremism, Josh Riley is connecting with Upstate New Yorkers through common-sense solutions to address their most pressing priorities. Molinaro is failing to pose as a 'normal' Republican, and voters of this traditional swing district will reject his far-right agenda in November."

Read more below.

The New York Times: In Heated House Race, a Moderate Republican Goes Full Trump
Grace Ashford | October 14, 2024

• Representative Marc Molinaro has spent his decades of public service building a reputation as a particular brand of New York Republican: a measured and courteous pragmatist more interested in responsible governing than in ideological battles.

• But that reputation is being tested as Mr. Molinaro, a first-term congressman, seeks re-election against Josh Riley, a Democrat, in a rematch from 2022 that has turned into one of the most hostile, and consequential, House races in the country this year.

• On the campaign trail, Mr. Riley rails against what he calls profiteering corporations and the politicians who do their bidding, touting his promise not to accept corporate PAC contributions and his support for term limits.

• Mr. Molinaro takes a different approach, embracing Mr. Trump and leaning heavily on anti-immigrant sentiment.

• Immigration is a major issue in New York this year amid an influx of migrants to the state. But Mr. Molinaro has dug in deeper than most, embracing far-right rhetoric and occasionally going so far as to indulge in racist conspiracy theories.

• After a drumbeat of online posts about crimes committed by immigrants, his campaign account shared a post on X.com last month warning that Haitian immigrants had "carved up" residents' pets in Springfield, Ohio, with the intention of eating them. Although the claim would later be debunked, Mr. Molinaro has repeatedly declined to walk it back or apologize, instead parroting an argument made by JD Vance, Mr. Trump's running mate, that his intent was to bring attention to a broader issue.

• Mr. Molinaro's rightward pivot has been noticed by observers across the political spectrum, baffling his allies as well as some institutional supporters, particularly given his background.

• Mr. Riley, who lives with his family in Ithaca, roots his campaign in his childhood in Endicott, N.Y., near Binghamton, and the way the town was hollowed out as jobs moved overseas. Since losing to Mr. Molinaro two years ago, Mr. Riley has mobilized a more powerful operation. He has raised more than $8 million, according to his campaign, and that has allowed him to hammer his opponent in TV ads since July. One recent fund-raising pitch featured David Letterman and Al Franken, the former Minnesota senator whom Mr. Riley once served as counsel.

• He has criticized Mr. Molinaro for repeatedly voting to make it more difficult to obtain an abortion. Some of his ads claim that Mr. Molinaro would vote for a national abortion ban.

• Mr. Riley holds a distinct fund-raising advantage over Mr. Molinaro, reporting a haul of more than $3 million in the last quarter. Mr. Molinaro has raised less than Mr. Riley in each of the last four quarters.