Josh Riley’s Victory in Critical House Race Proves Power of Climate, Sustainable Agriculture Movements in Upstate NY

WASHINGTON – Democrat Josh Riley defeated Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro in a closely-watched race for a critical swing seat in New York’s 19th Congressional district. The race drew significant attention to the candidates’ divergent views on climate action, fossil fuel development, clean energy manufacturing, and the impacts of the corporate food industry versus sustainable agriculture in the largely rural upstate district. 

A coalition of environmental groups including Food & Water Action, Climate Hawks Vote, Friends of the Earth Action, and Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund helped sway the race by driving volunteers to phone banks that made nearly 40,000 calls to NY-19 voters.

“Make no mistake – Josh Riley’s victory is a win for common-sense climate action and sustainable family farming in Upstate New York,” said Food & Water Action Political Director Sam Bernhardt. “It signifies a clear rejection of Rep. Molinaro’s blatant record of cozying up to filthy fossil fuel polluters and price-gouging corporate food giants. Marc Molinaro took hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from the largest food corporations while these same companies were raising prices and profiteering off of everyday New Yorkers.”

“Meanwhile, Josh Riley campaigned on expanding the clean energy economic benefits the region has seen from the Inflation Reduction Act, and opposed the proposed Iroquois pipeline expansion. We look forward to working with him to achieve these goals.”

Contacts: Seth Gladstone, [email protected], 917-363-6615
Brittany Miller, [email protected], 202-222-0746