Marcus James Molinaro (/moʊlɪˈnɛəroʊ/ moh-lin-AIR-oh; born October 8, 1975)[1] is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for New York's 19th congressional district from 2023 to 2025.

[3] Molinaro was the Republican nominee for governor of New York in 2018, losing to Democratic incumbent Andrew Cuomo.

On September 21, 2021, Molinaro announced that he would run for New York's 19th district in the United States House of Representatives in 2022.

[4] In the special election held on August 23, 2022, Molinaro lost to Democratic nominee Pat Ryan, the Ulster County executive, 51.2% to 48.8%.

Ryan, who defeated Molinaro in August, was also elected to a full term simultaneously in a neighboring district.

[12] Molinaro announced his bid to succeed 20-year Dutchess County Executive William Steinhaus in May 2011.

[5] As county executive, he spearheaded a 2015 initiative called "Think Differently" for people with disabilities; he also appointed a Deputy Commissioner of Special Needs in 2016.

[5] In March 2018, Molinaro informed Republican leaders that he would run for governor of New York in the 2018 election.

[21][22] Molinaro's running mate was Julie Killian, a former Rye City councilwoman and state senate candidate.

[23] While he was described as a moderate during the campaign,[24][25][26] Molinaro said in a March 2018 interview that he considered himself a communitarian, explaining that he believed leaders need to bring together community members of different perspectives to solve the problems they face.

The seat was left vacant following Antonio Delgado's appointment as Lieutenant Governor of New York.

[34] Molinaro was among a group of New York congressman calling for the ultimately successful expulsion of George Santos from Congress.