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New York's 21st Congressional District
New York's 21st Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives is represented by Elise Stefanik (R).
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 21st Congressional District election, 2024
New York's 21st Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Republican primary)
New York's 21st Congressional District election, 2024 (June 25 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for U.S. House New York District 21
Incumbent Elise Stefanik defeated Paula Collins and Scott Phillip Lewis in the general election for U.S. House New York District 21 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Elise Stefanik (R / Conservative Party) | 62.0 | 215,996 |
 | Paula Collins (D / Working Families Party)  | 38.0 | 132,447 | |
 | Scott Phillip Lewis (Independent) (Write-in) | 0.0 | 0 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 197 | ||
| Total votes: 348,640 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Paula Collins advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Steven Holden (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jill Lochner (R)
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Paula Collins advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Brian Rouleau (Working Families Party)
2022
General election
General election for U.S. House New York District 21
Incumbent Elise Stefanik defeated Matt Castelli in the general election for U.S. House New York District 21 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elise Stefanik (R / Conservative Party) | 59.1 | 168,579 |
 | Matt Castelli (D / Moderate Party) | 40.8 | 116,421 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 95 | ||
| Total votes: 285,095 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 21
Matt Castelli defeated Matthew Putorti in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 21 on August 23, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Matt Castelli | 80.8 | 19,319 |
 | Matthew Putorti | 18.9 | 4,528 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 52 | ||
| Total votes: 23,899 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Ezra Watson (D)
- Bridie Farrell (D)
- Keith Sherrill (D)
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Lonny Koons (R)
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
2020
General election
General election for U.S. House New York District 21
Incumbent Elise Stefanik defeated Tedra Cobb in the general election for U.S. House New York District 21 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elise Stefanik (R / Conservative Party / Independence Party) | 58.8 | 188,655 |
 | Tedra Cobb (D / Working Families Party) | 41.1 | 131,995 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.0 | 138 | ||
| Total votes: 320,788 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Tedra Cobb advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Conservative Party primary election
The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Conservative Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Independence Party primary election
The Independence Party primary election was canceled. Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Independence Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
Serve America Movement Party primary election
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Jeffrey French (Serve America Movement Party)
Working Families Party primary election
The Working Families Party primary election was canceled. Tedra Cobb advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21.
2018
General election
General election for U.S. House New York District 21
Incumbent Elise Stefanik defeated Tedra Cobb and Lynn Kahn in the general election for U.S. House New York District 21 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Elise Stefanik (R) | 56.1 | 131,981 |
| Tedra Cobb (D) | 42.4 | 99,791 | |
 | Lynn Kahn (G) | 1.5 | 3,437 | |
| Total votes: 235,209 (100.00% precincts reporting) | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Katie Wilson (Working Families Party)
- Dylan Ratigan (Women's Equality Party)
- Chris Schmidt (L)
- Steve Krieg (Independent)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 21
Tedra Cobb defeated Katie Wilson, Dylan Ratigan, Emily Martz, and Patrick Nelson in the Democratic primary for U.S. House New York District 21 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Tedra Cobb | 55.7 | 10,853 |
 | Katie Wilson | 12.1 | 2,356 | |
 | Dylan Ratigan | 11.9 | 2,313 | |
 | Emily Martz | 11.1 | 2,165 | |
 | Patrick Nelson | 9.2 | 1,802 | |
| Total votes: 19,489 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Don Boyajian (D)
- Ronald Kim (D)
- Tanya Boone (D)
- Sara Idleman (D)
- David Mastrianni (D)
Republican primary election
Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 21
Incumbent Elise Stefanik advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House New York District 21 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Elise Stefanik |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Russell Finley (R)
- Steven Schnibbe (R)
Green primary election
Green primary for U.S. House New York District 21
Lynn Kahn advanced from the Green primary for U.S. House New York District 21 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Lynn Kahn |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Women's Equality Party primary election
Women's Equality Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21
Dylan Ratigan advanced from the Women's Equality Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Dylan Ratigan |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
Working Families Party primary election
Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21
Katie Wilson advanced from the Working Families Party primary for U.S. House New York District 21 on June 26, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Katie Wilson |
| ||||
| = 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
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Elise Stefanik (R) defeated Mike Derrick (D) and Matt Funiciello (G) in the general election on November 8, 2016. No candidate faced any opposition in the primaries on June 28, 2016.[1][2]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican |  Elise Stefanik Incumbent |
65.3% | 177,886 | |
| Democratic | Mike Derrick | 30.2% | 82,161 | |
| Green | Matt Funiciello | 4.6% | 12,452 | |
| Total Votes | 272,499 | |||
| Source: New York Board of Elections | ||||
2014
The 21st Congressional District of New York held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 4, 2014. Because incumbent Bill Owens (D) did not run for re-election, many predicted a close race between Republican, Conservative and Independence Party candidate Elise Stefanik and Democratic and Working Families Party candidate Aaron Woolf. Contrary to expectations, Stefanik defeated Woolf by a wide margin of victory, switching the partisan control of the seat from Democratic to Republican.[3]
Matt Funiciello also ran against Stefanik and Woolf on the Green ticket. Neither Woolf nor Funiciello faced competition in the primary election on June 24, 2014, while Stefanik battled with Matt Doheny for the Republican nomination. Although Doheny won the Independence Party's nomination, he was later nominated for a state Supreme Court judgeship, which removed him from the ballot and allowed the Independence Party to endorse Stefanik.
New York's 21st was considered a battleground district in 2014. Although Democratic President Barack Obama won the district by a fairly safe 6.1 percent margin of victory in 2012, Owens won by a mere 1.9 percent margin of victory that same year. In addition, with New York's 21st being an open seat in 2014, none of the candidates possessed the advantages that often come with incumbency, such as increased campaign finances and name recognition.
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Elise Stefanik |
55.1% | 96,226 | |
| Democratic | Aaron Woolf | 33.8% | 59,063 | |
| Green | Matt Funiciello | 11% | 19,238 | |
| N/A | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 141 | |
| Total Votes | 174,668 | |||
| Source: New York State Board of Elections, NYS Board of Elections Rep. in Congress Election Returns November 4, 2014," accessed August 30, 2021 | ||||
2012
The 21st Congressional District of New York held an election for the U.S. House of Representatives on November 6, 2012. Incumbent from the 23rd District, Bill Owens won the election in the district.[4]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Bill Owens Incumbent |
50.1% | 126,631 | |
| Republican | Matthew Doheny | 48.2% | 121,646 | |
| Green | Donald Hassig | 1.7% | 4,174 | |
| N/A | Write-in votes | 0% | 105 | |
| Total Votes | 252,556 | |||
| 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, Paul Tonko won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Theodore Danz (R) in the general election.[5]
| U.S. House, New York District 21 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Paul Tonko incumbent |
59.2% | 124,889 | |
| Republican | Theodore J. Danz Jr. | 40.7% | 85,752 | |
| N/A | Write-in votes | 0.1% | 150 | |
| Total Votes | 210,791 | |||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Paul Tonko won election to the United States House. He defeated James Buhrmaster (R) and Phillip Steck (Independence) in the general election.[6]
| U.S. House, New York District 21 General Election, 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Paul Tonko |
62.1% | 171,286 | |
| Republican | James Buhrmaster | 35% | 96,599 | |
| Independence | Phillip Steck | 2.9% | 7,965 | |
| N/A | Write-in votes | 0% | 22 | |
| Total Votes | 275,872 | |||
2006
On November 7, 2006, Michael R. McNulty won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Warren Redlich (R) in the general election.[7]
| U.S. House, New York , District 21 General Election, 2006 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Michael R. McNulty incumbent |
72.3% | 167,604 | |
| Republican | Warren Redlich | 20.2% | 46,752 | |
| N/A | Blank/Void/Scattering | 7.6% | 17,554 | |
| Total Votes | 231,910 | |||
2004
On November 2, 2004, Michael R. McNulty won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Warren Redlich (R) in the general election.[8]
| U.S. House, New York , District 21 General Election, 2004 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Michael R. McNulty incumbent |
62.2% | 194,033 | |
| Republican | Warren Redlich | 25.7% | 80,121 | |
| N/A | Blank/Void/Scattering | 12.1% | 37,700 | |
| Total Votes | 311,854 | |||
2002
On November 5, 2002, Michael R. McNulty won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Charles B. Rosenstein (R) in the general election.[9]
| U.S. House, New York , District 21 General Election, 2002 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Michael R. McNulty incumbent |
68.1% | 161,329 | |
| Republican | Charles R. Rosenstein | 22.6% | 53,525 | |
| N/A | Blank/Void/Scattering | 9.3% | 22,113 | |
| Total Votes | 236,967 | |||
2000
On November 7, 2000, Michael R. McNulty won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Thomas G. Pillsworth (R) in the general election.[10]
| U.S. House, New York , District 21 General Election, 2000 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Michael R. McNulty incumbent |
65.6% | 175,339 | |
| Republican | Thomas G. Pillsworth | 22.6% | 60,333 | |
| N/A | Blank/Void/Scattering | 11.9% | 31,740 | |
| Total Votes | 267,412 | |||
District map
Redistricting
2020-2024
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.[11][12][13]
According to Nicholas 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."[12]
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.[14] 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."[15]
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.[16]
The 10-member commission comprises the following members:[16]
- Two members must be appointed by the temporary president of the New York State Senate.
- Two members must be appointed by the speaker of the New York State Assembly.
- Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Senate.
- Two members must be appointed by the minority leader of the New York State Assembly.
- 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.[16]
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."[16]
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 21
before 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
New York District 21
after 2020 redistricting cycle
Click a district to compare boundaries.
2010-2011
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
2026
Heading into the 2026 elections, based on results from the 2024 and 2020 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district is R+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Democratic than the national average. This made New York's 21st the 133rd most Democratic district nationally.[17]
2024
Heading into the 2024 elections, based on results from the 2020 and 2016 presidential elections, the Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+10. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 10 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made New York's 21st the 147th most Republican district nationally.[18]
Daily Kos calculated what the results of the 2020 presidential election in this district would have been following redistricting. Donald Trump (R) would have defeated Joe Biden (D) 56.9%-41.2%.[19]
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 R+9. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 9 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made New York's 21st the 154th most Republican district nationally.[20]
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 42.8% of the vote in this district and Donald Trump (R) would have received 55.2%.[21]
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 R+4. This meant that in those two presidential elections, this district's results were 4 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made New York's 21st Congressional District the 207th most Republican nationally.[22]
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 1.21. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.21 points toward that party.[23]
See also
- Redistricting in New York
- New York's 21st Congressional District election, 2024
- New York's 21st Congressional District election, 2022
- New York's 21st Congressional District election, 2020
- New York's 21st Congressional District election, 2018
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ New York State Board of Elections, "Filings received for the 2016 Primary Election," accessed May 15, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "New York House Races Results," June 28, 2016
- ↑ Politico, "2014 New York House Election Results," accessed November 8, 2014
- ↑ Politico, "2012 Election Map, New York," accessed November 7, 2012
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 4, 2008," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2006," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2004," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 5, 2002," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 7, 2000," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ Associated Press, "New York gets a new congressional map that gives Democrats a slight edge in fight for House," February 28, 2024
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 The New York Times, "Democrats Propose N.Y. Congressional Map With Slight Tilt in Their Favor," February 27, 2024
- ↑ Politico, "New congressional maps approved in New York," February 28, 2024
- ↑ New York Daily News, "New York’s top court orders House map redrawn," December 12, 2023
- ↑ State of New York Court of Appeals, "Opinion No. 90, In the Matter of Anthony S. Hoffmann v. New York State Independent Redistricting Commission," December 12, 2023
- ↑ 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 All About Redistricting, "New York," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "2025 Cook PVI℠: District Map and List (119th Congress)," accessed July 1, 2025
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed January 10, 2024
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "The 2022 Cook Partisan Voting Index (Cook PVI℠)," accessed February 6, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2020 presidential results by congressional district, for new and old districts," accessed September 15, 2022
- ↑ Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
- ↑ FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
