New York's 20th Congressional District

New York's 20th Congressional District

Incumbent

Paul Tonko

Assumed office: January 3, 2013

New York's 20th Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Paul Tonko (D).

As of the 2020 Census, New York representatives represented an average of 777,529 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 719,298 residents.

Elections

2024

See also: New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2024

New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Republican primary)

New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Democratic primary)

General election

The primary will occur on June 25, 2024. The general election will occur on November 5, 2024. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 20

Incumbent Paul Tonko, Mason Brown, and Emmanuel Jorge-Garcia are running in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 20 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate
		Paul Tonko
		Mason Brown
		Emmanuel Jorge-Garcia

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 20

Alexander Dubois, Jonathon Locke, and Kevin Waltz are running in the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 20 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate
		Alexander Dubois
		Jonathon Locke
		Kevin Waltz

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Conservative Party primary election

Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20

Kevin Waltz is running in the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate
		Kevin Waltz

---

	There are no incumbents in this race.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Working Families Party primary election

Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20

Incumbent Paul Tonko is running in the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20 on June 25, 2024.

		Candidate
		Paul Tonko

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2022

See also: New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2022

General election

General election for U.S. House New York District 20

Incumbent Paul Tonko defeated Elizabeth Joy in the general election for U.S. House New York District 20 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Tonko (D / Working Families Party)	55.0	160,420
		Elizabeth Joy (R / Conservative Party)	44.9	130,869
		Other/Write-in votes	0.0	144

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 291,433
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 20

Incumbent Paul Tonko defeated Rostislav Rar in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 20 on August 23, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Tonko	88.1	18,251
		Rostislav Rar	11.7	2,422
		Other/Write-in votes	0.3	54

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 20,727
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Justin Chaires (D)
• Cole Matthews (D)
• Jack Fallon-Underwood (D)

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Elizabeth Joy advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

Conservative Party primary election

The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Elizabeth Joy advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

Working Families Party primary election

The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Paul Tonko advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

2020

See also: New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2020

General election

General election for U.S. House New York District 20

Incumbent Paul Tonko defeated Elizabeth Joy in the general election for U.S. House New York District 20 on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Tonko (D / Working Families Party / Independence Party)	61.1	219,705
		Elizabeth Joy (R / Conservative Party / Serve America Movement Party)	38.8	139,446
		Other/Write-in votes	0.1	191

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 359,342
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Democratic primary election

The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Paul Tonko advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Riley Seaburg (D)

Republican primary election

The Republican primary election was canceled. Elizabeth Joy advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Michael Seney (R)

Conservative Party primary election

The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Elizabeth Joy advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

Serve America Movement Party primary election

The Serve America Movement Party primary election was canceled. Elizabeth Joy advanced from the Serve America Movement Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

Working Families Party primary election

The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Paul Tonko advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 20.

2018

See also: New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House New York District 20

Incumbent Paul Tonko defeated Joe Vitollo in the general election for U.S. House New York District 20 on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Paul Tonko (D)	66.5	176,811
		Joe Vitollo (R)	33.5	89,058

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 265,869 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 20

Incumbent Paul Tonko advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 20 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Paul Tonko

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 20

Joe Vitollo advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 20 on June 26, 2018.

		Candidate
✔		Joe Vitollo

---

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified.
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Paul Tonko (D) faced Francis Vitollo (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Both candidates were unopposed in the partisan primaries on June 28, 2016.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2016

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Paul Tonko Incumbent	67.9%	213,021
	Republican	Francis Vitollo	32.1%	100,738
Total Votes				313,759
Source: New York Board of Elections

2014

See also: New York's 20th Congressional District elections, 2014

The 20th Congressional District of New York held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Incumbent Paul Tonko (D) defeated Jim Fischer (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2014

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Paul Tonko Incumbent	61.2%	125,111
	Republican	Jim Fischer	38.7%	79,104
	N/A	Write-in votes	0.1%	114
Total Votes				204,329
Source: New York State Board of Elections, NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed August 30, 2021

2012

See also: New York's 20th Congressional District elections, 2012

The 20th Congressional District of New York held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent for the 21st District, Paul Tonko, won election in the district.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Paul Tonko Incumbent	68.4%	203,401
	Republican	Robert Dieterich	31.5%	93,778
	N/A	Write-in votes	0%	135
Total Votes				297,314
Source: New York State Board of Elections, "NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012," accessed September 1, 2021

2010
On November 2, 2010, Chris Gibson won election to the United States House. He defeated Scott Murphy (D) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Chris Gibson	54.8%	130,176
	Democratic	Scott Murphy incumbent	45.1%	107,077
	Write-ins		0%	99
Total Votes				237,352

2009 special
On March 31, 2009, Scott Murphy won election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Tedisco (R) in the special general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 Special election, 2009
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Scott Murphy	50.2%	80,833
	Republican	Jim Tedisco	49.8%	80,107
Total Votes				160,940
Source: Results via New York State Board of Elections

2008
On November 4, 2008, Kirsten Gillibrand won re-election to the United States House. She defeated Sandy Treadwell (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2008
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kirsten Gillibrand incumbent	62.1%	193,651
	Republican	Sandy Treadwell	37.9%	118,031
	N/A	Write-in votes	0%	35
Total Votes				311,717

2006
On November 7, 2006, Kirsten Gillibrand won election to the United States House. She defeated John Sweeney (R) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2006
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Kirsten Gillibrand	50%	125,168
	Republican	John Sweeney incumbent	44.2%	110,554
	N/A	Blank/Void/Scattering	5.8%	14,579
Total Votes				250,301

2004
On November 2, 2004, John Sweeney won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Doris Kelly (D) and Morris Guller (Centrist) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2004
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John Sweeney incumbent	58.2%	188,753
	Democratic	Doris Kelly	29.8%	96,630
	Centrist	Morris Guller	0.4%	1,353
	N/A	Blank/Void/Scattering	11.5%	37,424
Total Votes				324,160

2002
On November 5, 2002, John Sweeney won election to the United States House. He defeated Frank Stoppenbach (D) and Margaret Lewis (G) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2002
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	John Sweeney	63%	140,238
	Democratic	Frank Stoppenbach	20.6%	45,878
	Green	Margaret Lewis	2.3%	5,162
	N/A	Blank/Void/Scattering	14%	31,256
Total Votes				222,534

2000
On November 7, 2000, Benjamin Gilman won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Paul Feiner (D) and Christine Tighe (Right to Life) in the general election.

U.S. House, New York District 20 General Election, 2000
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Benjamin Gilman incumbent	50.7%	136,016
	Democratic	Paul Feiner	35.2%	94,646
	Right to Life	Christine Tighe	2%	5,371
	N/A	Blank/Void/Scattering	12.1%	32,475
Total Votes				268,508

District map

The map below shows this district's current boundaries, not those adopted for the 2024 election cycle. To compare the map before redistricting with the one used for the 2024 elections, click here.

Redistricting

2020-2024

See also: Redistricting in New York after the 2020 census

On February 28, 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed a new congressional map into law. The state Assembly voted 115-35 to approve the map on February 27. The state Senate voted 45-18 to approve the map the same day.

According to Nicholar Fandos of The New York Times, "Although a pair of swing districts would become more Democratic, lawmakers in Albany left the partisan makeup of 24 of the state’s 26 districts largely intact. The middle-ground approach reflected a desire to avoid another protracted court fight like the one in New York that helped swing control of the House to Republicans in 2022, while still better positioning Democrats in key districts."

On December 12, 2023, the New York Court of Appeals, the state's highest court, ruled in a 4-3 decision that the independent redistricting commission did not follow the state's congressional redistricting process and ordered the commission to reconvene and re-draw congressional district boundaries by February 28 for use in the 2024 elections. The court's majority opinion stated, "In 2014, the voters of New York amended our Constitution to provide that legislative districts be drawn by an Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC). The Constitution demands that process, not districts drawn by courts. Nevertheless, the IRC failed to discharge its constitutional duty. That dereliction is undisputed. The Appellate Division concluded that the IRC can be compelled to reconvene to fulfill that duty; we agree. There is no reason the Constitution should be disregarded."

How does redistricting in New York work? On March 14, 2012, the state legislature approved a constitutional amendment to establish new redistricting procedures beginning in 2020. The New York Constitution requires that two successive legislatures approve an amendment in order to qualify it for final approval by popular vote. The legislature approved the amendment a second time in 2013. On November 4, 2014, voters approved the amendment, the provisions of which were set to take effect during the 2020 redistricting cycle.

The 10-member commission comprises the following members:

1. Two members must be appointed by the temporary president of the New York State Senate.
2. Two members must be appointed by the speaker of the New York State Assembly.
3. Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Senate.
4. Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Assembly.
5. Two members must appointed by the aforementioned eight commissioners. These two appointees cannot have been enrolled in the top two major political parties in the state.

The legislature must approve the commission's plans by a simple up/down vote. The legislature must reject two separate sets of redistricting plans before it will be able to amend the commission's proposals. All districts will be required "to preserve minority rights, be equally populated, and consist of compact and contiguous territory." Further, state law will require that districts "not be drawn to discourage competition or to favor/disfavor candidates or parties." In prior redistricting cycles, authority for both congressional and state legislative redistricting was vested with the state legislature. An advisory commission participated in the process.

State law requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. State legislative districts must also take into account the "historic and traditional significance of counties."

Below are the congressional maps in effect before and after the 2020 redistricting cycle. The map on the right was in effect for New York’s 2024 state legislative elections. The map on the right was in effect for New York’s 2024 state legislative elections. The map on the right was in effect for New York’s 2024 state legislative elections.

New York District 20
before 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

New York District 20
after 2020 redistricting cycle

Click a district to compare boundaries.

2010-2011

This is the 20th Congressional District of New York after the 2001 redistricting process. The current district is displayed in the infobox at the top of the page.

See also: Redistricting in New York after the 2010 census

In 2011, the New York State Legislature re-drew the congressional districts based on updated population information from the 2010 census.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index

See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

2022

Heading into the 2022 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New York's 20th the 152nd most Democratic district nationally.

Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Joe Biden (D) would have received 58.6% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 39.4%.

2018

Heading into the 2018 elections, based on results from the 2016 and 2012 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was D+7. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 7 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New York's 20th Congressional District the 147th most Democratic nationally.

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.06. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.06 points toward that party.

See also

• Redistricting in New York
• New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2024
• New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2022
• New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2020
• New York's 20th Congressional District election, 2018

External links

• GovTrack District 20

Footnotes

[show]

New York's current delegation to the United States Congress

Senators

Kirsten Gillibrand (D)

Chuck Schumer (D)

Representatives

District 1

Nicholas LaLota (R)

District 2

Andrew Garbarino (R)

District 3

Tom Suozzi (D)

District 4

Anthony D'Esposito (R)

District 5

Gregory Meeks (D)

District 6

Grace Meng (D)

District 7

Nydia Velazquez (D)

District 8

Hakeem Jeffries (D)

District 9

Yvette Clarke (D)

District 10

Daniel Goldman (D)

District 11

Nicole Malliotakis (R)

District 12

Jerrold Nadler (D)

District 13

Adriano Espaillat (D)

District 14

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D)

District 15

Ritchie Torres (D)

District 16

Jamaal Bowman (D)

District 17

Michael Lawler (R)

District 18

Pat Ryan (D)

District 19

Marcus Molinaro (R)

District 20

Paul Tonko (D)

District 21

Elise Stefanik (R)

District 22

Brandon Williams (R)

District 23

Nick Langworthy (R)

District 24

Claudia Tenney (R)

District 25

Joseph Morelle (D)

District 26

Vacant

Democratic Party (17)

Republican Party (10)

Vacancies (1)