Molinaro Considers Run for Vacated House Seat
Mark Molinaro, currently the Secretary of the Federal Transit Administration, is reportedly contemplating a campaign for the U.S. House seat soon to be vacated by Elise Stefanik, a Republican from upstate New York.
Molinaro, who has previously served as the Dutchess County executive and represented New York’s 19th Congressional District, has been meeting with county chairs recently to gauge support for a potential candidacy.
Gerald Cassar, the chairman of the state Conservative Party, confirmed that he has spoken with Molinaro regarding his interest in the race for New York’s 21st Congressional District, specifically about the possibility of endorsement from right-wing parties.
Interestingly, as recently announced, Stefanik will not be running for re-election, setting up a highly competitive race for her seat in North Country.
Molinaro has indicated interest in possibly running. However, there’s still a cloud of uncertainty surrounding his candidacy. His ties to the district are not particularly strong, which could raise eyebrows and lead some to question his connection to local voters. The district encompasses a large area that includes parts of 15 counties and stretches along the Vermont-Canadian border.
Notably, Molinaro has previously run for governor and lost a recent bid for re-election to the House against Democratic Rep. Josh Riley. His political history has raised questions among local Republicans about his suitability for a conservative primary, given that he has taken some positions that don’t completely align with traditional party values.
Molinaro identifies as pro-choice and has publicly supported the Black Lives Matter movement. He has even engaged with protesters discussing issues like white privilege and admitted to not voting for Trump in 2016. Some party insiders suggest that he has removed references to these views from his social media, but they remain well-known among party members.
A Republican source candidly referred to Molinaro as a “liberal, pro-choice, pro-BLM” figure, expressing skepticism about his fit for the district and implying that he may lack genuine ties to the community.
As the political landscape evolves, it seems that Molinaro is actively seeking support, potentially looking for backing from the President as he navigates this challenging path.
