Learn about the biggest Capital Region local races

Here are the biggest races we’ll be following in the Capital Region

Click/tap the triangles for more info about each race:

NY-19: Marc Molinaro vs. Josh Riley

The race in New York’s 19th Congressional District is a rematch from two years ago.

Rep. Marc Molinaro is seeking a second term. He is being challenged by Democrat Josh Riley, an attorney.

Molinaro beat Riley by less than 2% in 2022.

The pair recently debated at NewsChannel 13’s studio in Menands.

The district goes from the Massachusetts border across the Catskills and along the Southern Tier to Ithaca.

NY-20: Paul Tonko vs. Kevin Waltz

Incumbent NY-20 Democrat Paul Tonko is going for his ninth term in the House of Representatives.

He is being challenged by Kevin Waltz, a Guilderland resident and former legislative aide. He has a B.A. in criminal justice from UAlbany, is pursuing a juris doctorate at Albany Law School.

The district covers Saratoga, Schenectady, and Albany counties, and a small part of Rensselaer County.

NY-21: Elise Stefanik vs. Paula Collins

Republican Elise Stefanik is seeking her sixth term in NY-21.

Stefanik was first elected to Congress in 2014, and many consider her a star in the Republican Party.

She is facing Democrat Paula Collins, who is seeking federal office for the first time.

Collins lives in St. Lawrence County.

The district covers most of Rensselaer County, along with the counties surrounding the immediate Capital Region, including everything above Saratoga County.

U.S. Senate

New York state has two U.S. Senators – Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. Both are Democrats. Gillibrand is up for reelection this year.

The Albany native went from state to national politics in 2009, when Gov. David Paterson appointed her to Hillary Clinton’s old Senate seat. Clinton left for a position in the Obama Administration.

Gillibrand is facing retired New York Police Detective Mike Sapraicone on the Republican side.