Josh Riley joins the race for New York’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District. Previously, Riley was a candidate in the old 22nd district.
Riley’s announcement makes him the fifth Democrat in the running for the redrawn district, according to The Citizen. The redrawn 22nd district includes all of Onondaga and Tompkins counties and parts of Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Ontario, Schuyler, and Seneca counties. It includes the cities of Auburn, Cortland, Geneva, Ithaca, and Syracuse.
The 22nd district is currently an open seat. John Katko, who represents a portion of the new district, announced he would not seek reelection in January.
Riley is from Endicott and currently lives in an area that is now part of the 19th Congressional District. U.S. Rep Antonio Delgado is the Democratic incumbent in the new district. While there is no rule requiring members of Congress to live in the district they represent, Riley says he will move to the 22nd district as he campaigns for the seat.
Riley entry into the race makes the competition fierce. He raised $416,000 in the fourth quarter of 2021, more than any other Democrat in the race.
“I believe that all upstate New Yorkers deserve a square deal: If you work hard, play by the rules and treat others with decency, then you should have a fair shot at the middle class,” said Riley. “When I’m elected to Congress, I will work every day to create new jobs and economic opportunities that lift everyone up and bring everyone along.”
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].