In the 19th Congressional District, Democrat Josh Riley is hoping to unseat Republican Marcus Molinaro, a position Molinaro won when the two faced each other in 2022’s election. Here is where the candidates stand on the issues.

Health care

Riley: Believes the health-care system should not put profit over patients. Expand access to health care in rural communities with Internet access and federal funding. Invest in curbing the opioid epidemic through treatment for people struggling with addiction.

Molinaro: Ensure rural communities receive more physical and mental health treatment. Expand funding for rural health clinics, telehealth and telemedicine.

The environment

Riley: Views climate change as an existential crisis for the planet and is deeply concerned about the world we are leaving for future generations. Plans to create more jobs producing things like solar panels to establish energy independence.

Molinaro: Has led efforts to curb polluters, preserve soil and watersheds, protect farmland, and clean and restore the Hudson River. Part of a bipartisan climate caucus developing strategies to improve and expand renewable energy and preserve natural resources. Currently promoting legislation to increase Delaware River Basin protections.

Taxes

Riley: Taxes should be lowered for the middle class. End massive tax cuts for billionaires, special interests and the oil industries. Invest instead in families.

Molinaro: Believes government often doesn’t respect the people paying the bills, that New York taxes are too high. Tax money should be returned to the taxpayers and federal spending should reduce taxes for middle-class families and drive down inflation so the costs of goods and services aren’t as high. Supports expanding the child tax credit.

Reproductive care, abortion rights

Riley: Pro-choice, believes a woman should be able to make her own choice. Vows that if elected, he will sponsor legislation to restore Roe vs. Wade.

Molinaro: Committed to preventing a national abortion ban. When it comes to reproductive health, the choice should be between a woman and her physician, not Washington, DC.

Gun Safety

Riley: Respects the Second Amendment, but believes there are reasonable, safe measures to adopt to ensure communities and children are safe. These include strengthening background checks and making sure felons do not have access to firearms.

Molinaro: New York has the strictest gun laws in the country, but those who commit gun crimes are not prosecuted with the requisite urgency. Prosecuting those crimes will be a deterrent. Investing in trauma and behavioral health intervention will also deter those who display violent behavior.

Housing Costs

Riley: Wall Street equity firms bought up many single-family homes for profit, contributing to the housing crisis. Housing policy should prioritize keeping people in their homes, not making sure Wall Street makes a profit. Ban corporations from buying single-family housing and invest in new housing construction for more affordable options.

Molinaro: Middle-class homes are currently being built to create a larger housing supply to reduce costs. Citizens need meaningful tax relief when buying or renting a house; voted to expand the low-income tax credit to provide government support for home purchases. Wants to revise zoning laws to make constructing new housing possible.