Josh Riley

Joshua Paul Riley is an American politician and lawyer currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 19th congressional district, a position he has held since January 3, 2025. A member of the Democratic Party, Riley has a background in policy analysis and law, having previously worked in various capacities within the U.S. government and in private legal practice. His district encompasses the southeastern region of Upstate New York, which includes both rural areas and urban centers such as Ithaca and Binghamton.

Early life and career

Joshua Paul Riley was born on January 21, 1981, in Endicott, New York. He is the son of Paul and Barbara Riley. He completed his secondary education at Union-Endicott High School, graduating in 1999. Following high school, he pursued higher education at the College of William & Mary, where he earned a bachelor's degree in government and economics in 2003. During his time at William & Mary, Riley gained practical experience in public service by working as an aide to U.S. Representative Maurice Hinchey, an experience that significantly influenced his interest in a political career.

After completing his undergraduate studies, Riley began his professional career as a policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor. In this role, he focused on issues related to unemployment and trade adjustment programs, contributing to policy development and analysis. In 2004, he enrolled at Harvard Law School, where he furthered his legal education and engaged in various extracurricular activities. As a Heyman Fellow, he worked on the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, and he volunteered at a legal aid clinic in New Orleans to assist victims of Hurricane Katrina. He graduated from Harvard Law School in 2007, receiving the Dean's Award for Community Leadership from then-Dean Elena Kagan, who later became a U.S. Supreme Court Justice.

Following law school, Riley began his legal career as an associate at the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, where he worked for two years. He then served as a law clerk for Judge Kim McLane Wardlaw on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in California. From 2011 to 2014, he held the position of general counsel to Senator Al Franken on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. After his tenure in the Senate, he returned to Boies Schiller Flexner, eventually becoming a partner at the firm. In 2021, he transitioned to Jenner & Block, where he continued his legal practice.

House tenure

Riley's political career took a significant turn when he declared his candidacy for Congress in November 2021. Initially, he aimed to contest the seat in New York's 22nd congressional district against incumbent Republican Claudia Tenney. However, due to redistricting and changes in the political landscape, he shifted his focus to the newly drawn 19th congressional district. This district had recently become vacant following the resignation of U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado, who took on the role of Lieutenant Governor of New York. The previous representative of the old 19th district, Pat Ryan, won a special election but opted to run in a different district due to the redistricting process.

In the Democratic primary, Riley faced Dutchess County businesswoman Jamie Cheney and emerged victorious. He then competed against Republican nominee Marc Molinaro in the general election. Despite a strong campaign, Riley was not successful in the November 2022 election, as Molinaro won the contest.

Riley's political fortunes changed in 2024 when he ran again for the 19th congressional district seat, this time as the Democratic nominee in a rematch against Molinaro. In this election, he secured victory with a majority of the vote, contributing to a broader Democratic success in New York state, where several House seats flipped to the Democratic Party.

Upon taking office on January 3, 2025, Riley was assigned to serve on the House Committees on Agriculture and Science, Space, and Technology. His initial legislative efforts included introducing a bipartisan bill aimed at updating the Department of Energy’s Weatherization Assistance Program, which sought to increase funding caps and broaden eligibility for low-income households.

Riley's early voting record included participation in passing the Illegitimate Court Counteraction Act, which aimed to impose sanctions on officials of the International Criminal Court in response to its actions regarding U.S. and allied personnel. In response to an avian flu outbreak affecting poultry producers in New York, he introduced bipartisan legislation to provide financial aid to those impacted, with the goal of supporting family farms and stabilizing grocery prices. Additionally, he cosponsored the Lowering Egg Prices Act, which aimed to alleviate federal regulations that he argued contributed to significant food waste.

In December 2025, Riley voted against a bill to reopen the federal government, which had experienced a shutdown lasting 43 days. Following the reopening, he expressed support for provisions that included funding for projects in his district.

Legislative focus and committees

During his tenure in the House, Riley has focused on various issues pertinent to his constituents and the broader national landscape. His committee assignments reflect his interests and areas of expertise. He serves on the Committee on Agriculture, where he is the Vice Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Forestry and Horticulture, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry. Additionally, he is a member of the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, specifically on the Subcommittee on Energy.

Riley is also involved in several caucuses that align with his legislative priorities. These include the Congressional Equality Caucus, which advocates for LGBTQ+ rights, the New Democrat Coalition, which focuses on centrist and pragmatic approaches to governance, the Future Forum, which engages younger members of Congress, the Labor Caucus, which addresses labor issues, and the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition, which promotes policies for environmental sustainability and energy efficiency.

In his personal life, Riley resides in Ithaca, New York, with his wife, Monica Kohli, a strategy consultant. The couple married in Washington, D.C., in 2016 and has two sons. Through his legislative work and community involvement, Riley continues to engage with the challenges and opportunities facing his constituents in New York's 19th congressional district.