It lies partially in the northernmost region of the New York metropolitan area and mostly south of Albany.

Incumbent Representative Nan Hayworth opted to follow most of her constituents into the new 18th district in 2012, but she was defeated by Democrat Sean Patrick Maloney, a former advisor to President Bill Clinton.

Democrat Pat Ryan won the special election to complete Delgado's term on August 23, 2022.

[12] In the November 2024 general election, Josh Riley defeated current representative Marc Molinaro.

[13] Molinaro refused to concede until the last ballots are counted, despite AP's decision that he has no path to victory.