VESTAL, NY (WSKG) — Republicans are trying to take back New York’s 19th district. The most recent candidate to announce his bid is Kyle Van De Water. He’ll face Ola Hawatmeh and Mike Roth in the Republican primary in June. Steve Greenfield is running in the district on the Green Party line.
They’re all vying to replace incumbent freshman Democrat Antonio Delgado, who beat Republican representative John Faso in 2018.
Delgado has not yet officially announced that he’s running for re-election. On a call with reporters, he said it’s safe to assume he is, but maintains reelection is not his priority.
"When you have people showing up at town halls in the hundreds and they're asking really substantive questions about things that are affecting their lives on the ground, it drives home the point for me that what they want from me—and rightfully so—is to continue to be focused on the issues at hand," Delgado said, mentioning broadbandand PFAS contamination as important issues in his district.
According to the Federal Election Commission, Delgado's campaign had over $2 million in cash on hand for his reelection at the end of last year.
"I’m a year and a couple months into my first term, and my focus is really just making sure that I keep doing the work," Delgado said.
Congressional terms are two years long.
New York’s 19th district includes Otsego and Delaware Counties along with part of Broome County.