New York's 22nd congressional district

New York's 22nd congressional district is a U.S. House district located in the central region of New York. The district, which has existed in various forms since 1913, currently encompasses all of Madison County, Oneida County, and Onondaga County, including the cities of Syracuse, Utica, and Rome. It is represented by Republican Brandon Williams, who was first elected in the 2022 election.

History

The district was created following the 1910 United States census and first contested in the 1912 elections. Its boundaries and political character have shifted significantly over the decades due to congressional reapportionment and redistricting. For much of the 20th century, it was anchored in the Capital District area, represented by figures like Republican John Taber and Democrat Samuel S. Stratton. Following the 1990 United States census, the district was reconfigured into the Southern Tier, represented by Maurice Hinchey until 2003. Major boundary changes after the 2010 United States census moved it to the Mohawk Valley region, and the district was dramatically altered again after the 2020 United States census by the New York State Independent Redistricting Commission, shifting it to its current central New York configuration. This latest map was the subject of legal challenges, including the case Harkenrider v. Hochul.

Election results

Election results have varied widely with the district's changing geography. Historically, it was a Republican stronghold for decades, exemplified by John Taber's long tenure. The district became more competitive in the late 20th century, electing Democrats like Maurice Hinchey and, more recently, Claudia Tenney. In the 2018 election, Anthony Brindisi narrowly defeated Claudia Tenney in a race that required a protracted court-ordered recount. Tenney reclaimed the seat in 2020. The 2022 election saw Brandon Williams defeat Steven Holden under the new district lines.

List of representatives

Representatives are listed with their party affiliations and terms of service. Key historical figures include John Taber (Republican, 1923–1963), a powerful member of the House Appropriations Committee; Samuel S. Stratton (Democrat, 1959–1981), known for his work on the House Armed Services Committee; and Maurice Hinchey (Democrat, 1993–2003), a prominent environmental advocate. More recent representatives include Richard L. Hanna (Republican, 2011–2017), Claudia Tenney (Republican, 2017–2019; 2021–2023), and Anthony Brindisi (Democrat, 2019–2021). The current representative is Brandon Williams (Republican), who began his term in 2023.

Recent elections (2018–present)

The district has been a national battleground in recent cycles. In 2018, Democrat Anthony Brindisi unseated one-term Republican Claudia Tenney by a margin of just over 2,000 votes after a legal battle that involved the New York Supreme Court and a review of contested absentee ballots. In the 2020 election, Tenney defeated Brindisi in a rematch by 109 votes, one of the closest congressional races in the country that year. The 2022 election, conducted under new district lines, featured Republican Brandon Williams against Democrat Steven Holden. Williams won, benefiting from the new district's R+6 partisan lean and national political trends favoring the Republican Party.

Demographics

As constituted after the 2020 redistricting, the district is predominantly white and contains a mix of urban, suburban, and rural areas. Major population centers include Syracuse (home to Syracuse University), Utica, and Rome. Key institutions within its borders are Fort Drum, Griffiss Business and Technology Park, and the State University of New York Polytechnic Institute. The economy has historically been driven by manufacturing, agriculture, and education, with significant employers being the United States Department of Defense, Oneida Indian Nation, and various healthcare systems like St. Joseph's Health. The district voted for Donald Trump in both the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections.

Category:New York (state) congressional districts