HURLEYVILLE — With just days to go before Election Day, candidates from across New York are hitting the campaign trail to make their closing case with voters.

One of the closest races that could help decide control of the United States House of Representatives is in NY-19 between Ithaca-based attorney Josh Riley and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro.

Riley spoke to a packed house at the Hurleyville Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday alongside former President Bill Clinton. Other speakers included Sullivan County Democratic Chairwoman Anne Hart, District Attorney and State Supreme Court Candidate Meagan Galligan, and Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther

President Clinton’s appearance marked the first time a current or former president has visited Sullivan County since President Jimmy Carter in 1984.

“I think most of what goes on in politics today is just nuts,” President Clinton said to those assembled in HPAC’s ballroom. “In the end, this is about you, your kids, your grandkids and the future. I’m here today because I think this is really one of the most important House races in the entire United States …”

President Clinton spoke for over 25 minutes on a wide range of issues including the economy, the Supreme Court, the perilous state of democracy and recent instances of political violence. Ultimately he asked those in attendance to rally behind Democratic candidates.

“I like this guy because of what he’s done with his life,” President Clinton said of Riley. “There is not a candidate in the entire United States that has better claim to faithfully represent the people he’s running to represent than [Josh Riley].”  

Speaking before President Clinton, Riley recalled working a newspaper route as a child and seeing headlines about job losses across upstate New York alongside headlines about record corporate profits. 

“That taught me at a young age that our political system and our economic systems are rigged against working families in upstate New York and rigged in favor of the special interests who are dominating our politics,” Riley said. 

“There’s a lot of dysfunction and division in Congress. I saw it when I was there as counsel in the Senate,” Riley continued. “I also saw the best of what we can accomplish if we roll up our sleeves, commit to finding common ground, treat each other with decency [and] get back to giving each other the benefit of the doubt.”

After Hurleyville, the 42nd President traveled to New Windsor to campaign alongside NY-18 Congressional Candidate and NY-19 Representative Pat Ryan. 

Molinaro in Binghamton. 

Meanwhile on Wednesday, Republican Candidate and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro was on the campaign trail in Binghamton for the Dave Lindsey Garden Dedication. He also toured various sites with Mayor Jared Kraham and candidate for the 52nd State Senate District Rich David.

Last Sunday, Molinaro was joined by Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin at a campaign event in Westchester for Gubernatorial Candidate Lee Zeldin discussing issues such as inflation and rising crime.

“The cost of everything from groceries to home heating are all on the rise and we’re all making desperate choices,” Molinaro said in a video posted to social media from the campaign trail. “I grew up on food stamps and I know the challenges. I support our most vulnerable and those in NY-19 who rely on assistance.” 

Later on Wednesday, Molinaro was campaigning in Whitney Point with House of Representatives Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy and Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel.