New York's 20th congressional district

Summary

New York's 20th congressional district is a congressional district for the United States House of Representatives in New York's Capital District. It includes all of Albany, Saratoga, and Schenectady counties, and portions of Rensselaer county.

New York's 20th congressional district
Map
Map
Interactive map of district boundaries
Representative
  Paul Tonko
DAmsterdam
Distribution
  • 88.69% urban
  • 11.31% rural
Population (2022)781,546
Median household
income
$79,758[1]
Ethnicity
Cook PVID+7[2]

Recent statewide election results edit

Year Office Results
1992 President Clinton 45–41%
1996 President Clinton 54–37%
2000 President Bush 51–44%
2004 President Bush 54–46%
2008 President Obama 51–46%
2012 President Obama 59–38%
2016 President Clinton 54–40%
2020 President Biden 59–38%

History edit

 
The district from 2003 to 2013
 
The district from 2013 to 2023

Various New York districts have been numbered "20" over the years, including areas in New York City and various parts of upstate New York.

List of members representing the district edit

1813–1833: two seats edit

From the creation of the district in 1813 to 1833, two seats were apportioned, elected at-large on a general ticket.

Years Cong
ress
Seat A Seat B
Representative Party Electoral history Representative Party Electoral history
March 4, 1813 –
March 3, 1815
13th Daniel Avery
(Aurora)
Democratic-Republican Redistricted from the 14th district and re-elected in 1812.
[data missing]
 
Oliver C. Comstock
(Trumansburg)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1812.
Re-elected in 1814.
Re-elected in 1816.
[data missing]
March 4, 1815 –
June 4, 1816
14th  
Enos T. Throop
(Auburn)
Democratic-Republican Re-elected in 1814.
Lost re-election and resigned early.
June 4, 1816 –
September 30, 1816
Vacant
September 30, 1816 –
March 3, 1817
Daniel Avery
(Aurora)
Democratic-Republican Elected in September 1816 to finish Porter's term and seated December 3, 1816.
Retired.
March 4, 1817 –
March 3, 1819
15th Daniel Cruger
(Bath)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1816.
[data missing]
March 4, 1819 –
March 3, 1821
16th Caleb Baker
(Elmira)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1818.
[data missing]
Jonathan Richmond
(Aurora)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1818.
Lost re-election.
March 4, 1821 –
December 3, 1821
17th Vacant Elections were held in April 1821. It is unclear when results were announced or credentials issued. Vacant Elections were held in April 1821. It is unclear when results were announced or credentials issued.
December 3, 1821 –
March 3, 1823
William B. Rochester
(Bath)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1821.
Redistricted to the 28th district.
 
David Woodcock
(Ithaca)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1821.
Resigned to become judge of the Eight Circuit Court
March 4, 1823 –
March 3, 1825
18th  
Ela Collins
(Lowville)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1822.
[data missing]
Egbert Ten Eyck
(Watertown)
Democratic-Republican Elected in 1822.
Re-elected in 1824.
Lost election contest.
March 4, 1825 –
December 15, 1825
19th Nicoll Fosdick
(Morristown)
Anti-Jacksonian Elected in 1824.
Lost re-election.
Jacksonian
December 15, 1825 –
March 3, 1827
Daniel Hugunin Jr.
(Oswego)
Anti-Jacksonian Successfully contested election of Egbert Ten Eyck.
March 4, 1827 –
February 16, 1829
20th Rudolph Bunner
(Oswego)
Jacksonian Elected in 1826.
Retired.
 
Silas Wright
(Canton)
Jacksonian Elected in 1826.
Lost re-election then resigned.
February 16, 1829 –
March 3, 1829
Vacant
March 4, 1829 –
February 5, 1830
21st Joseph Hawkins
(Henderson)
Anti-Jacksonian Elected in 1828.
[data missing]
George Fisher
(Oswego)
Anti-Jacksonian Elected in 1828.
Election successfully contested by Silas Wright, but declined to qualify
February 5, 1830 –
November 3, 1830
Vacant
November 3, 1830 –
March 3, 1831
 
Jonah Sanford
(Oswego)
Jacksonian Elected to finish Fisher/Wright's term.
Retired.
March 4, 1831 –
March 3, 1833
22nd  
Charles Dayan
(Lowville)
Jacksonian Elected in 1830.
[data missing]
 
Daniel Wardwell
(Mannsville)
Jacksonian Elected in 1830.
Redistricted to the 18th district.

1833–present: one seat edit

Representative Party Years Cong
ress
Electoral history District location
Noadiah Johnson
(Delhi)
Jacksonian March 4, 1833 –
March 3, 1835
23rd Elected in 1832.
[data missing]
William Seymour
(Binghamton)
Jacksonian March 4, 1835 –
March 3, 1837
24th Elected in 1834.
[data missing]
 
Amasa J. Parker
(Delhi)
Democratic March 4, 1837 –
March 3, 1839
25th Elected in 1836.
Retired.
Judson Allen
(Harpursville)
Democratic March 4, 1839 –
March 3, 1841
26th Elected in 1838.
[data missing]
 
Samuel Gordon
(Delhi)
Democratic March 4, 1841 –
March 3, 1843
27th Elected in 1840.
[data missing]
 
Samuel Beardsley
(Utica)
Democratic March 4, 1843 –
February 29, 1844
28th Elected in 1842.
Resigned.
Vacant February 29, 1844 –
November 5, 1844
Levi D. Carpenter
(Waterville)
Democratic November 5, 1844 –
March 3, 1845
Elected to finish Beardsley's term.
[data missing]
 
Timothy Jenkins
(Oneida Castle)
Democratic March 4, 1845 –
March 3, 1849
29th
30th
Elected in 1844.
Re-elected in 1846.
[data missing]
 
Orsamus B. Matteson
(Utica)
Whig March 4, 1849 –
March 3, 1851
31st Elected in 1848.
[data missing]
 
Timothy Jenkins
(Oneida Castle)
Democratic March 4, 1851 –
March 3, 1853
32nd Elected in 1850.
[data missing]
 
Orsamus B. Matteson
(Utica)
Whig March 4, 1853 –
March 3, 1855
33rd
34th
Elected in 1852.
Re-elected in 1854.
Resigned just before a recommendation of censure could be passed by the House for allegations of bribery and corruption concerning a Minnesota land bill. He was also accused of publicly stating that a majority of the US House was purchasable.
Opposition March 4, 1855 –
February 27, 1857
Vacant February 27, 1857 –
March 3, 1857
34th
 
Orsamus B. Matteson
(Utica)
Republican March 4, 1857 –
March 3, 1859
35th Elected in 1856.
[data missing]
 
Roscoe Conkling
(Utica)
Republican March 4, 1859 –
March 3, 1863
36th
37th
Elected in 1858.
Re-elected in 1860.
Redistricted to the 21st district and lost re-election.
 
Ambrose W. Clark
(Watertown)
Republican March 4, 1863 –
March 3, 1865
38th Redistricted from the 23rd district and re-elected in 1862.
[data missing]
 
Addison H. Laflin
(Herkimer)
Republican March 4, 1865 –
March 3, 1871
39th
40th
41st
Elected in 1864.
Re-elected in 1866.
Re-elected in 1868.
[data missing]
 
Clinton L. Merriam
(Locust Grove)
Republican March 4, 1871 –
March 3, 1873
42nd Elected in 1870.
Redistricted to the 21st district.
 
David Wilber
(Milford)
Republican March 4, 1873 –
March 3, 1875
43rd Elected in 1872.
[data missing]
 
Henry H. Hathorn
(Saratoga Springs)
Republican March 4, 1875 –
March 3, 1877
44th Redistricted from the 19th district and re-elected in 1874.
[data missing]
 
John H. Starin
(Fultonville)
Republican March 4, 1877 –
March 3, 1881
45th
46th
Elected in 1876.
Re-elected in 1878.
[data missing]
 
George West
(Ballston Spa)
Republican March 4, 1881 –
March 3, 1883
47th Elected in 1880.
[data missing]
 
Edward Wemple
(Fultonville)
Democratic March 4, 1883 –
March 3, 1885
48th Elected in 1882.
[data missing]
 
George West
(Ballston Spa)
Republican March 4, 1885 –
March 3, 1889
49th
50th
Elected in 1884.
Re-elected in 1886.
[data missing]
 
John Sanford
(Amsterdam)
Republican March 4, 1889 –
March 3, 1893
51st
52nd
Elected in 1888.
Re-elected in 1890.
[data missing]
 
Charles Tracey
(Albany)
Democratic March 4, 1893 –
March 3, 1895
53rd Redistricted from the 19th district and re-elected in 1892.
[data missing]
 
George N. Southwick
(Albany)
Republican March 4, 1895 –
March 3, 1899
54th
55th
Elected in 1894.
Re-elected in 1896.
[data missing]
 
Martin H. Glynn
(Albany)
Democratic March 4, 1899 –
March 3, 1901
56th Elected in 1898.
[data missing]
 
George N. Southwick
(Albany)
Republican March 4, 1901 –
March 3, 1903
57th Elected in 1900.
Redistricted to the 23rd district.
 
Thomas W. Bradley
(Walden)
Republican March 4, 1903 –
March 3, 1913
58th
59th
60th
61st
62nd
Elected in 1902.
Re-elected in 1904.
Re-elected in 1906.
Re-elected in 1908.
Re-elected in 1910.
[data missing]
 
Francis B. Harrison
(New York)
Democratic March 4, 1913 –
September 3, 1913
63rd Elected in 1912.
Resigned to become chief executive of the Philippines
Vacant September 3, 1913 –
November 4, 1913
 
Jacob A. Cantor
(New York)
Democratic November 4, 1913 –
March 3, 1915
Elected to finish Harrison's term.
[data missing]
 
Isaac Siegel
(New York)
Republican March 4, 1915 –
March 3, 1923
64th
65th
66th
67th
Elected in 1914.
Re-elected in 1916.
Re-elected in 1918.
Re-elected in 1920.
[data missing]
 
Fiorello H. LaGuardia
(New York)
Republican March 4, 1923 –
March 3, 1925
68th
69th
70th
71st
72nd
Elected in 1922.
Re-elected in 1924.[a]
Re-elected in 1926.
Re-elected in 1928.
Re-elected in 1930.
[data missing]
Socialist[a] March 4, 1925 –
March 3, 1927
Republican March 4, 1927 –
March 3, 1933
 
James J. Lanzetta
(New York)
Democratic March 4, 1933 –
January 3, 1935
73rd Elected in 1932.
[data missing]
 
Vito Marcantonio
(New York)
Republican January 3, 1935 –
January 3, 1937
74th Elected in 1934.
[data missing]
 
James J. Lanzetta
(New York)
Democratic January 3, 1937 –
January 3, 1939
75th Elected in 1936.
[data missing]
 
Vito Marcantonio
(New York)
American Labor January 3, 1939 –
January 3, 1945
76th
77th
78th
Elected in 1938.
Re-elected in 1940.
Re-elected in 1942.
Redistricted to the 18th district.
 
Sol Bloom
(New York)
Democratic January 3, 1945 –
March 7, 1949
79th
80th
81st
Redistricted from the 19th district and re-elected in 1944.
Re-elected in 1946.
Re-elected in 1948.
Died.
Vacant March 8, 1949 –
May 16, 1949
81st
 
Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr.
(New York)
Liberal May 17, 1949 –
January 3, 1951
81st
82nd
83rd
Elected to finish Bloom's term.
Re-elected in 1950.
Re-elected in 1952.
[data missing]
Democratic January 3, 1951 –
January 3, 1955
 
Irwin D. Davidson
(New York)
Democratic-Liberal January 3, 1955 –
December 31, 1956
84th Elected in 1954.
Resigned after being elected judge of Court of General Sessions for New York County
Vacant January 1, 1957 –
January 2, 1957
 
Ludwig Teller
(New York)
Democratic January 3, 1957 –
January 3, 1961
85th
86th
Elected in 1956.
Re-elected in 1958.
[data missing]
 
William Fitts Ryan
(New York)
Democratic January 3, 1961 –
September 17, 1972
87th
88th
89th
90th
91st
92nd
Elected in 1960.
Re-elected in 1962.
Re-elected in 1964.
Re-elected in 1966.
Re-elected in 1968.
Re-elected in 1970.
Died.
Vacant September 18, 1972 –
January 2, 1973
92nd
 
Bella Abzug
(New York)
Democratic January 3, 1973 –
January 3, 1977
93rd
94th
Redistricted from the 19th district and re-elected in 1972.
Re-elected in 1974.
[data missing]
 
Ted Weiss
(New York)
Democratic January 3, 1977 –
January 3, 1983
95th
96th
97th
Elected in 1976.
Re-elected in 1978.
Re-elected in 1980.
Redistricted to the 17th district.
 
Richard Ottinger
(Mamaroneck)
Democratic January 3, 1983 –
January 3, 1985
98th Redistricted from the 24th district and re-elected in 1982.
[data missing]
 
Joe DioGuardi
(Scarsdale)
Republican January 3, 1985 –
January 3, 1989
99th
100th
Elected in 1984.
Re-elected in 1986.
[data missing]
 
Nita Lowey
(New York)
Democratic January 3, 1989 –
January 3, 1993
101st
102nd
Elected in 1988.
Re-elected in 1990.
Redistricted to the 18th district.
 
Benjamin Gilman
(Middletown)
Republican January 3, 1993 –
January 3, 2003
103rd
104th
105th
106th
107th
Redistricted from the 22nd district and re-elected in 1992.
Re-elected in 1994.
Re-elected in 1996.
Re-elected in 1998.
Re-elected in 2000.
[data missing]
 
John E. Sweeney
(Clifton Park)
Republican January 3, 2003 –
January 3, 2007
108th
109th
Redistricted from the 22nd district and re-elected in 2002.
Re-elected in 2004.
[data missing]
2003–2013
 
 
Kirsten Gillibrand
(Albany)
Democratic January 3, 2007 –
January 26, 2009
110th
111th
Elected in 2006.
Re-elected in 2008.
Resigned when appointed U.S. senator.
Vacant January 27, 2009 –
March 31, 2009
111th
 
Scott Murphy
(Glens Falls)
Democratic March 31, 2009 –
January 3, 2011
Elected to finish Gillibrand's term.
Lost re-election.
 
Chris Gibson
(Kinderhook)
Republican January 3, 2011 –
January 3, 2013
112th Elected in 2010.
Redistricted to the 19th district.
 
Paul Tonko
(Amsterdam)
Democratic January 3, 2013 –
present
113th
114th
115th
116th
117th
118th
Redistricted from the 21st district and re-elected in 2012.
Re-elected in 2014.
Re-elected in 2016.
Re-elected in 2018.
Re-elected in 2020.
Re-elected in 2022.
2013–2023
 
2023–2025
 

Election results edit

In New York State electoral politics there are numerous minor parties at various points on the political spectrum. Certain parties will invariably endorse either the Republican or Democratic candidate for every office, hence the state electoral results contain both the party votes, and the final candidate votes (Listed as "Recap").

1996 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Benjamin A. Gilman (incumbent) 122,479 57.1%
Democratic Yash A. Aggarwal 80,761 37.6%
Right to Life Robert F. Garrison 6,356 3.0%
Independence Ira W. Goodman 5,016 2.3%
Majority 41,718 19.4%
Turnout 214,612 100%
1998 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Benjamin A. Gilman (incumbent) 98,546 58.3% +1.2%
Democratic Paul J. Feiner 65,589 38.8% +1.2%
Right to Life Christine M. Tighe 4,769 2.8% −0.2%
Majority 32,957 19.5% +0.1%
Turnout 168,904 100% −21.3%
2000 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Benjamin A. Gilman (incumbent) 136,016 57.6% −0.7%
Democratic Paul J. Feiner 94,646 40.1% +1.3%
Right to Life Christine M. Tighe 5,371 2.3% −0.5%
Majority 41,370 17.5% −2.0%
Turnout 236,033 100% +39.7%
2002 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John E. Sweeney 140,238 73.3% +15.7%
Democratic Frank Stoppenbach 45,878 24.0% −16.1%
Green Margaret Lewis 5,162 2.7% +2.7%
Majority 94,360 49.3% +31.8%
Turnout 191,278 100% −19.0%
2004 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican John E. Sweeney (incumbent) 188,753 65.8% −7.5%
Democratic Doris F. Kelly 96,630 33.7% +9.7%
Centrist Party Morris N. Guller 1,353 0.5% +0.5%
Majority 92,123 32.1% −17.2%
Turnout 286,736 100% +49.9%
2006 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kirsten Gillibrand 125,168 53.1% +19.4%
Republican John E. Sweeney (incumbent) 110,554 46.9% −18.9%
Majority 14,614 6.2% −25.9%
Turnout 235,722 100% −17.8%
2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district[3]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Kirsten Gillibrand (incumbent) 177,677 61.8% +8.7%
Republican Sandy Treadwell 109,644 38.2% −8.7%
Majority 68,033 23.6% +17.4%
Turnout 287,321 100% +21.9%
2009 New York's 20th congressional district special election[4]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Scott Murphy 80,833 50.23% −11.57%
Republican James Tedisco 80,107 49.77% +11.57%
Majority 726 0.45% −23.15%
Turnout 160,940 100% −44.0%
2010 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district[5]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Chris Gibson 130,176 54.87% +5.10%
Democratic Scott Murphy (incumbent) 107,077 45.13% −5.10%
Majority 23,099 9.74% +9.29%
Turnout 237,253 100% +47.4%
2012 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district[6]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul Tonko 203,401 68.44% +23.3%
Republican Robert J. Dieterich 93,778 31.56% −23.3%
Majority 109,623 36.89% +27.2%
Turnout 313,024 100% +31.93%
2014 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district[7]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul Tonko (incumbent) 125,111 61.26% −7.18%
Republican James M. Fischer 79,104 38.74% +7.18%
Majority 46007 22.53% −14.36%
Turnout 171,118 100% −45.33%
2016 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district[8]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul Tonko (incumbent) 213,018 67.89% +6.63%
Republican Joe Vitollo 100,740 32.11% −6.63%
Majority 112,278 35.78% +13.25%
Turnout 325,296 100% +90.10%
2018 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district[9]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Paul Tonko (incumbent) 176,811 66.50% −1.39%
Republican Joe Vitollo 89,058 33.50% +1.39%
Majority 87,753 33.01% −2.77%
Turnout 264,564 100% −18.67%
2020 United States House of Representatives elections in New York's 20th district
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Paul Tonko 194,071 54.0
Working Families Paul Tonko 19,678 5.5
Independence Paul Tonko 5,956 1.7
Total Paul Tonko (incumbent) 219,705 61.2
Republican Liz Joy 120,839 33.6
Conservative Liz Joy 17,849 5.0
SAM Liz Joy 758 0.2
Total Liz Joy 139,446 38.8
Total votes 359,151 100.0
Democratic hold

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b In 1924, La Guardia ran for re-election on the Socialist line after refusing the Republican nomination in order to endorse Robert M. LaFollette's presidential campaign.

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Center for New Media & Promotion (CNMP), US Census Bureau. "My Congressional District". www.census.gov.
  2. ^ "2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List". Cook Political Report. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
  3. ^ Neuman, William (November 5, 2008). "Election Results 2008: New York". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 17, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2008.
  4. ^ "Statement of Canvass: 20th Congressional District" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. May 2009. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 5, 2013. Retrieved May 15, 2009.
  5. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on August 23, 2012. Retrieved July 24, 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link) 2010 election results
  6. ^ "NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012" (PDF). Retrieved June 4, 2020. 2012 election results
  7. ^ "NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns November 4, 2014" (PDF). Retrieved June 4, 2020. 2014 election results
  8. ^ "NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns Nov. 8, 2016" (PDF). Retrieved June 4, 2020. 2016 election results
  9. ^ "Certified Results from the November 6, 2018 General Election for U.S. Congress" (PDF). Retrieved June 4, 2020. 2018 election results
  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1989). The Historical Atlas of Political Parties in the United States Congress. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Martis, Kenneth C. (1982). The Historical Atlas of United States Congressional Districts. New York: Macmillan Publishing Company.
  • Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present
  • 2004 House election data Clerk of the House of Representatives
  • 2002 House election data
  • 2000 House election data
  • 1998 House election data
  • 1996 House election data