The New york delegation
congressional officials …
Not surprisingly, New York has one of the nation's most diverse and electorally stable congressional delegations.
Of the 28 members in the 2022-2023 class, eight are female, and 20 are male. Eleven are minority representation through the end of the year. Nine are lawyers, none have a medical degree, one holds a doctorate, while eight have Master’s degrees.
Hofstra University has conferred three degrees - the highest received by any delegation member within the state. Harvard University conferred three degrees, and New York University conferred two degrees, as did Manhattanville College.
Several members of the New York delegation are leaders in their chambers. One is the Senate's Majority Leader, one is the House's Minority Leader, and another is the Republican Caucus Chair in the House.
Several members of the New York congressional delegation are military members.
The average tenure for the delegation currently is 4.3 terms, assuming, of course, everyone completes their service by the end of 2024. The longest-serving member has been in Congress for five terms in the Senate and nine terms in the House.
Eight members of the New York delegation are freshmen.
When you look at these profiles, we have given each a letter grade for their effort this Congress, based on various factors, which you will find in What Is Thomas Looking For? These letter grades are probably pretty familiar to you if you have ever been a school student (we hope the answer to that is we all have!)
If you see a meager score for a particular member, it will probably be due to one or two key factors: ethics challenges or anti-democratic behavior.
Republicans have been hit hard on their lack of pushback on former President Trump and their support of election denying in the 2020 presidential campaign. The unanswered soaring deficit on their watch, the dismantling of allied relationships around the globe, and opposition to funding anti-authoritarian initiatives. The denial of climate change weighs heavily on us as well. We make no secret that transparency and Government in the Sunshine are essential to us, and we further argue that some have been awful stewards of this category. For example, four of the 28 New York delegation members voted to overturn the 2020 presidential election results the same evening Trump supporters stormed the United States Capitol.
Democrats have been hit hard for their lack of progress on critical matters because they control the United States Senate and have a razor-close margin in the U.S. House of Representatives. They have not been innovative or necessarily insistent on finding rational, reasonable solutions to the problems plaguing the American public today. We want to see more and better.
Both have been dinged for being too partisan and not collaborative where evident. Congresswoman Stefanik owns this category right now because being too doctrinaire and obstructionist to good government in the 21st century is not acceptable.
We also indicate what we believe might be the outcome of these Members’ 2024 elections today. The overwhelming majority of House members were re-elected in 2022, and one of two United States Senators is up for re-election this season.
Our prospect ratings fall into three categories:
Safe Bet - which means what it means. These members of Congress are running strong and look to be overwhelming prospects for re-election at this time. We do, however, reserve the right to re-categorize their chances if necessary.
It’s A Race - means this race is too close to call, and we can not reasonably predict who will win this seat.
Nudging - means the seat is leaning one way or another for this candidate. We have just a small number of current members of Congress in this category. Senator Gillibrand is included since she has a race in 2024. Stay tuned!
So, would you like to meet these fascinating New Yorkers? If so, keep reading on!
what is thomas looking for?
Here are the vulnerable races we are watching in New York for 2024:
NY01 - Nick LaLota’s seat (Incumbent R)
NY03 - George Santos’ vacant seat (Incumbent R)
NY04 - Anthony D’Esposito’s seat (Incumbent R)
NY17 - Mike Lawler’s seat (Incumbent R)
NY19 - Marc Molinaro’s seat (Incumbent R)
NY22 - Brandon Williams seat (Incumbent R)
the senators
Credit: US Sen. Chuck Schumer
United States Senator chuck schumer (D)
The dean of the New York congressional delegation, five-term U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer is also the upper chamber’s Majority Leader. Schumer is the longest-serving Senator in New York history after having also served nine terms in the U.S. House of Representatives before his statewide election. In addition to his Senate leadership role, Schumer also serves on the Senate Rules & Administration Committee and is an ex-officio member of the Select Committee on Intelligence. Senator Schumer is married with two children and holds undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University.
Thomas Take: Not Up for Re-Election in 2024
Thomas Rank: A
Credit: US Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand
United states senator kirsten gillibrand (d)
New York’s junior senator is completing the second full term in the U.S. Senate since first being appointed to fill Hillary Clinton’s term when she was selected by President Obama to serve as the American Secretary of State in his new administration. A former short-term member of the U.S. House, Gillibrand serves on the Agriculture and Armed Services committees. Gillibrand, who is married and the mother of two, earned her law degree from UCLA and her undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College.
Thomas Take: Safe Democrat
Thomas Rank: A
the representatives
Credit: US Rep. Nick LaLota
district 1 - u.s. rep. nick lalota (r)
Congressman LaLota represents a district located on the Eastern Shore of Long Island. First elected in 2012, LaLota is a freshman member of the House who serves on the Armed Services Committee, the Homeland Security Committee, and the Small Business Committee. A graduate of the United States Naval Academy with both an MBA and JD from Hofstra University, Congressman LaLota is married and the father of three.
Thomas Take: It’s A Race
Thomas Rank: B
district 2 - U.S. Rep. andrew garbarino (r)
Congressman Gabarino is completing his second term in Congress representing a district that stretches across the South Shore of Long Island. The Congressman serves on the Ethics, Financial Services, and Homeland Security committees. He earned his undergraduate degree at George Washington University and has a law degree from Hofstra University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Andrew Garbarino
Credit: US rep. Tom Suozzi
District 3 - U.S. Rep. Tom Suozzi (D)
Representing the North Shore of Long Island, one of the wealthiest congressional districts in the state of New York, Congressman Tom Suozzi was elected in a late February 2024 special election to replace disgraced and expelled Republican Congressman George Santos. Suozzi, who graduated from Boston College and earned a law degree from Fordham University, serves on the House Homeland Security Committee. He is married and the father of three.
Thomas Take: Nudging Democrat
Thomas Rank: Too Early To Rate
Website
District 4 - U.S. Rep. Anthony d’esposito (R)
Representing central and south Nassau County, Rep. Anthony D’Esposito is serving his first term in the U.S. House. A retired police detective from New York City, Rep. D’Esposito serves on the Homeland Security Committee, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and the Committee on House Administration. The Congressman earned his undergraduate degree from Hofstra University.
Thomas Take: It’s A Race
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Anthony D’Esposito
Credit: US Rep. Gregory Meeks
district 5 - U.S. rep. gregory meeks (d)
The ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Congressman Gregory Meeks is serving his seventh term in Congress. He holds an undergraduate degree from Adelphi University and a law degree from Howard University. Married and the father of three, Congressman Meeks also serves on the Financial Services Committee. His district encompasses Jamaica and Rockaway Peninsula.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 6 - U.S. rep. grace meng (d)
The sixth district runs through Queens and is represented by Congresswoman Grace Meng, a six-term member of the U.S. House. Congresswoman Meng serves on the House Appropriations Committee. Her degree is from the University of Michigan. She is married and the mother of two.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Grace Meng
Credit: US Rep. Nydia Velázquez
district 7 - U.S. rep. nydia Velázquez (d)
U.S. Representative Nydia Velázquez is an eleven-term member of Congress whose district runs through parts of Queens and Brooklyn. Married, the Congresswoman serves on the Financial Services and Small Business committees. She holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Puerto Rico and a graduate degree from New York University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 8 - U.S. Rep. hakeem jeffries (d)
The Minority Leader in the U.S. House, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries serves the Brooklyn community as his district The six-term Congressman earned his undergraduate degree from Binghamton University, a graduate degree from Georgetown University, and his law degree from New York University. In addition to his leadership role, Leader Jeffries serves on the House Judiciary and Budget committees. He is married with two children.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: A
Credit: US Rep. Hakeem Jeffries
Credit: US Rep. Yvette Clarke
district 9 - U.S. rep. yvette clarke (d)
Representing Brooklyn and the communities of Flatbush and Crown Heights, Congresswoman Yvette Clarke is serving her ninth term in the U.S. House of Representatives. She attended Oberlin College in Ohio and served on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Small Business Committee.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 10 - u.s. rep. dan goldman (d)
The first-term member of Congress first made his congressional reputation as the lead attorney counsel on the first Trump impeachment trial. Today, he represents lower Manhattan in Congress serving on the Homeland Security Committee and the Committee on Oversight and Accountability. Goldman holds an undergraduate degree from Yale University and earned his law degree from Stanford University. A member of the Levi Strauss family, Congressman Goldman is married and the father of five.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: A
Credit: US Rep. Dan Goldman
Credit: US Rep. Nicole Malliotakis
district 11 - U.S. Rep. nicole malliotakis (r)
Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis is a two-term member of the U.S. House whose district include Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn. The Assistant Whip in the House Republican Conference, the Congresswoman also serves on the Ways and Means Committee. Married, Rep. Malliotakis chaired Marco Rubio’s presidential campaign in 2016. She holds an undergraduate degree from Seton Hall University and an MBA from Wagner College.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
district 12 - U.S. Rep. jerry nadler (d)
Congressman Nadler has served his Central Manhattan district for sixteen terms. He is the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee. The Congressman is married with one child. He has an undergraduate degree from Columbia University and earned his law degree at Fordham University.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Jerry Nadler
Credit: US Rep. Adriano Espaillat
district 13 - U.S. Rep. adriano espaillat (d)
A six-term member of the U.S. House, Congressman Adriano Espaillat represents Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx. He serves on the Appropriations and Budget committees. Married and the father of two, the Congressman has an undergraduate degree from Queens College.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 14 - U.S. Rep. alexandria ocasio-cortez (d)
The youngest woman ever to be elected to the U.S. House, Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, or as she is sometimes better known, AOC, represents the Bronx area and parts of North-Central Queens. A three-term member, who identifies as a Socialist, the Congresswoman holds her undergraduate degree from Boston University and serves on the Oversight and Accountability Committee, as well as the Natural Resources Committee.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: F
Credit: US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez
Credit: US Rep. Ritchie Torres
District 15 - U.S. Rep. ritchie torres (d)
Serving his second term in Congress, Representative Ritchie Torres represents the people around the South Bronx. The Congressman serves on the Financial Services and Homeland Security committees.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
District 16 - U.S. Rep. jamaal bowman (d)
Congressman Jamaal Bowman represents the area just north of New York City including New Rochelle, White Plains, and the southern half of Westchester County. He is serving his second term in Congress and serves on the Education and Labor Committee as well as the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. An educator, Congressman Bowman holds a doctorate in education from Manhattanville College, a graduate degree from Mercy College, and an undergraduate degree from the University of New Haven. He is married and the father of three. Congressman Bowman was censured by the full House of Representatives in late 2023 for falsely setting off a fire alarm, which Bowman admitted to and apologized for, at the U.S. Capitol during the final hours of government shutdown negotiations earlier in September.
Thomas Take: Defeated for Re-Election in the Primary - (Open Seat) - Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: C
Credit: US Rep. Jamaal Bowman
Credit: US Rep. Mike Lawler
district 17 - U.S. Rep. mike lawler (R)
Congressman Mike Lawler represents Southern New York in the Rockland and Putnam Counties area. A freshman member of the House, Lawler serves on the Financial Services Committee as well as the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Married and the father of one, Congressman Lawler holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Manhattanville College.
Thomas Take: It’s A Race
Thomas Rank: A
District 18 - U.S. Rep. pat ryan (D)
A three-term Member of Congress, Representative Pat Ryan began his career in the United States Army attending and graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point. He served two tours of duty in Iraq during his service. He holds a Master’s degree from Georgetown University. His district includes the suburbs on the northern side of New York City. Married and the father of two, Congressman Ryan serves on the Armed Services and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.
Thomas Take: Nudging Democrat
Thomas Rank: A
Credit: US Rep. Pat Ryan
Credit: US Rep. Marc Molinaro
district 19 - U.S. Rep. marc molinaro (r)
First elected at age 18 to be mayor of his village in upstate New York, freshman Congressman Marc Molinaro represents the areas around the Catskills, Hudson Valley, and Finger Lakes region of the Empire State. Married and the father of four, Congressman Molinaro holds an associate’s degree from Dutchess Community College and serves on the Agriculture, Small Business, and Transportation and Infrastructure committees.
Thomas Take: It’s A Race
Thomas Rank: B
district 20 - U.S. Rep. paul tonko (d)
A State Assembly member from 1983 to 2007, Congressman Paul Tonko has been in Congress for eight terms serving constituents in the Capital District of Albany, Saratoga, and Schenectady Counties. He holds an undergraduate degree from Clarkson University and serves on the Energy and Commerce Committee, as well as the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Paul Tonko
Credit: US Rep. Elise Stefanik
district 21 - U.S. Rep. elise stefanik (r)
Five-term member of the U.S. House, Elise Stefanik represents parts of Upstate New York around an area stretching from Utica in the West to near Albany in the East. As the fourth ranking Republican, Stefanik chairs the House Republican Conference. A graduate of Harvard University, the Congresswoman serves on the Armed Services Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. She is married and the mother of one.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: F
district 22 - U.S. rep. brandon williams (r)
Congressman Brandon Williams represents the Syracuse, Utica, and Rome region of Upstate New York. A freshman House member, Congressman Williams serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee as well as the Science, Space, and Technology Committee and the Committee on Education and the Workforce. Married and the father of two, Williams graduated from Pepperdine University and holds an MBA degree from the University of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Take: It’s A Race
Thomas Rank: D
Credit: US Rep. Brandon Williams
Credit: US Rep. Nick Langworthy
district 23 - U.S. Rep. nick langworthy (R)
Freshman Congressman Nick Langworthy represents the Upstate New York area around Buffalo stretching through the Southern Tier as far as Seneca Lake. In addition to his congressional duties, Congressman Langworthy also serves as Chair of the New York State Republican Committee. A married father of two, the Congressman earned his undergraduate degree from Niagara University and serves on the Agriculture, Rules, and Oversight and Accountability committees.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: D
district 24 - U.S. Rep. claudia tenney (r)
Serving her fifth term in the U.S. House, Congresswoman Claudia Tenney serves on the Ways and Means Committee and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. Her district includes the Finger Lakes Region stretching from Lake Ontario to Watertown. Congresswoman Tenney earned her undergraduate degree from Colgate University and her law degree from the University of Cincinnati. She is the mother of one, a son who graduated from the United States Naval Academy.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Republican
Thomas Rank: B
Credit: US Rep. Claudia Tenney
Credit: US Rep. Joseph Morelle
district 25 - U.S. Rep. joseph morelle (d)
Congressman Joseph Morelle represents Monroe County and is serving his third term in Congress. A graduate of SUNY Genesco, Congressman Morelle is married with three children and is a member of the House Administration Committee and the Appropriations Committee.
Thomas Take: Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: B
district 26 - U.S. Representative tim kennedy (d)
The 26th district in New York encompasses the greater Buffalo area and is represented by Tim Kennedy who replaced ten-term Congressman Brian Higgins in a special election in April. Married and the father of three, Kennedy has both a BS and MS degree in Occupational Therapy from D’Youville University. A former New York State Senator, Kennedy serves on the Homeland Security Committee and the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.
Thomas Take: Running for Re-Election- Safe Bet Democrat
Thomas Rank: N/A
Credit: U.S. Rep. Tim Kennedy