Paul Tonko

{{Infobox officeholder

|name = Paul Tonko

|image = Paul Tonko 118th Congress.jpeg

|office1 = Member of the
U.S. House of Representatives
from New York

|term_start1 = January 3, 2009

|term_end1 =

|predecessor1 = Michael McNulty

|successor1 =

|constituency1 = {{ushr|NY|21|21st district}} (2009–2013)
{{ushr|NY|20|20th district}} (2013–present)

|state_assembly2 = New York

|district2 = 105th

|term_start2 = April 1983

|term_end2 = June 2007

|predecessor2 = Gail S. Shaffer

|successor2 = George A. Amedore Jr.

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1949|6|18}}

|birth_place = Amsterdam, New York, U.S.

|death_date =

|death_place =

|party = Democratic

|education = Clarkson University (BS)

|website = {{URL|tonko.house.gov|House website}}

| module = {{Listen|pos=center|embed=yes|filename=Paul Tonko speaks on the destruction of PFAS waste.ogg|title=Paul Tonko's voice|type=speech|description=Paul Tonko speaks on the destruction of PFAS waste
Recorded July 13, 2022}}

}}

Paul David Tonko ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|t|ɒ|ŋ|k|oʊ}} {{Respell|TONK|oh}}; born June 18, 1949) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for {{ushr|New York|20}} since 2013. He represented the 21st congressional district from 2009 to 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Tonko has been called a staunch progressive.{{cite web |title=Tonko has major advantage in congressional race – The Daily Gazette |url=https://dailygazette.com/article/2018/11/04/tonko-has-major-advantage-in-congressional-race |website=dailygazette.com|date=November 4, 2018 }} After the 2020 redistricting cycle and effective for the 118th Congress, the 20th district will include all of Albany, Saratoga and Schenectady Counties as well as part of Rensselaer County.

From 1983 to 2007, Tonko represented the 105th district in the New York State Assembly. He was appointed to serve as president and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority from 2007 until his resignation in April 2008. Soon afterward, he declared his candidacy for Congress, and was elected in November 2008.

Tonko is the ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Environment in the 119th Congress. Since 2013, he has been the highest-ranking Democrat on the panel, which authorizes, oversees and investigates the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Early life, education and early career

Tonko is a lifelong resident of Amsterdam, New York, near Schenectady, and is of primarily Polish descent.{{cite web |url=http://tonko.house.gov/press-releases/congressman-paul-tonko-speaks-on-polish-tragedy/ |title=Congressman Paul Tonko : Press Releases : CONGRESSMAN PAUL TONKO SPEAKS ON POLISH TRAGEDY |access-date=October 31, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141031032414/http://tonko.house.gov/press-releases/congressman-paul-tonko-speaks-on-polish-tragedy/ |archive-date=October 31, 2014 |url-status=dead }} He graduated from Amsterdam's Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1967, and received a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering from Clarkson University in Potsdam, New York in 1971.{{cite web|url=https://www.recordernews.com/news/local-news/99744|title=GASD honors 2017 Hall of Fame inductees|website=Recorder News|date=September 22, 2017}}

An engineer for the New York Public Service Commission, Tonko became active in local politics in the early 1970s and successfully ran for the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors. He was a member of the board from 1976 to 1983,{{cite web|url=https://www.recordernews.com/news/local-news/152127|title=Taking the reins: Tonko stepping into national role on climate change|website=Recorder News |date=April 26, 2019 }} and the board's chairman from 1981 to 1983.{{cite book |last=US Congress Joint Committee on Printing |date=2013 |title=Official Congressional Directory: 113th Congress |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=AOsRkb1EJ_EC&pg=PA187 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=US Government Printing Office |page=187 |isbn=978-0-16-091922-0}} Tonko was the youngest person in county history to be elected to the board of supervisors.{{cite web|url=https://www.saratogian.com/news/republicans-democrats-to-vie-in-st-district-primary/article_cd1d0a46-e7f6-5098-af0b-1db6ccbacb31.html|title=2 Republicans, 5 Democrats to vie in 21st District primary|first=Danielle|last=Sanzone|website=The Saratogian}}

New York State Assembly (1983–2007)

In January 1983, Assemblywoman Gail S. Shaffer resigned her 105th district seat to take office as Secretary of State of New York. The Democratic Party, as well as the Liberal Party, nominated Tonko to contest an April 12 special election for the seat against former Schoharie County Clerk Eugene Hallock, the Republican and Conservative nominee. Tonko defeated Hallock in a close race.{{cite news |last1=Fowler |first1=Glenn |title=State Senator to be Chosen in Queens |work=The New York Times |date=April 13, 1983 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/09/nyregion/state-senator-to-be-chosen-in-queens.html}}[https://www.nytimes.com/1983/04/13/nyregion/stavisky-wins-race-for-state-senate.html Stavisky Wins Race for State Senate; ...Paul Tonko, of Amsterdam, a Democrat, was the winner...] in The New York Times on April 13, 1983 Tonko was reelected 13 times, serving in the Assembly until 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/living/article/Community-minded-Tonko-gets-around-12357203.php|title=Community-minded Tonko gets around|first=Steve|last=Barnes|date=November 14, 2017|website=Times Union}}

While in the Assembly, Tonko served as chair of the Energy Committee from 1992 until his departure from the Assembly in 2007.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2019/1/17/1826825/-Meet-The-New-Chair-House-Energy-Commerce-Subcommittee-on-Environment-Climate-Change|title=Meet The New Chair, House Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Environment & Climate Change|website=Daily Kos}} He was also a member of standing committees on Agriculture, Transportation and Education, where he was the original sponsor and a chief proponent of the College Tuition Savings Program that was signed into law in 1997.{{cite news | first = Leslie | last = Eaton | title = New Yorkers Rush to Invest In College Plan |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9B03E5D81F3BF935A35751C1A96E958260&sec=&spon=&partner=permalink&exprod=permalink | work=The New York Times | location = New York, New York | date = December 6, 1998 | access-date =January 15, 2009 }}

Tonko sponsored Timothy's Law,{{cite web|url=https://dailygazette.com/article/2008/10/26/1026_21st|title=Buhrmaster, Tonko bring different approaches to challenges – The Daily Gazette|website=dailygazette.com|date=October 26, 2008 }} a 2006 law that requires health insurers to cover mental health treatment.{{cite web|url=http://cnycentral.com/news/local/ag-schneiderman-announces-cigna-settlement-01-24-2017|title=AG Schneiderman announces Cigna settlement|last=WRGB|date=January 23, 2017|website=WSTM}} He also sponsored the Northeast Dairy Compact,{{cite news | first = Michael | last = Lamendola | title = Tonko wins to succeed McNulty |url=http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2008/nov/05/1105_tonko/ | work=The Daily Gazette | location = Schenectady, New York | date = November 5, 2008 | access-date =January 15, 2009 }} and chaired the Legislative Commission on Rural Resources,{{cite news | title = Tonko speaking at SUNY Cobleskill |url=http://old.thedailystar.com/news/stories/2007/05/18/cobygrad12.html | work = The Daily Star | location = Oneonta, New York | date = May 18, 2007 | access-date = January 15, 2009 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716231237/http://old.thedailystar.com/news/stories/2007/05/18/cobygrad12.html | archive-date = July 16, 2011 | url-status = dead }}

Tonko resigned his Assembly seat in June 2007 to become President and CEO of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority.

U.S. House of Representatives (2009–present)

=Elections=

==2008==

{{See also|2008 United States House of Representatives elections in New York#District 21}}

On April 25, 2008, Tonko stepped down from his position at the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority after ten-term Democratic Congressman Michael McNulty announced his upcoming retirement from Congress.{{cite news |date=April 28, 2008 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2008/04/28/daily2.html |title=Tonko resigns from NYSERDA |website=Albany Business Review}} He subsequently entered the race to succeed McNulty in the 21st district.{{cite web|url=https://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/22/520411/-|title=NY-21: Race Heats Up with Tonko Announcement, Steck Endorsement|website=Daily Kos}} Tonko won the Democratic primary on September 9, defeating four other candidates.{{cite news |date=September 10, 2008 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/albany/stories/2008/09/08/daily27.html |title=Buhrmaster, Tonko win Congressional primary |website=Albany Business Review}}

In the November 4 general election, Tonko defeated Republican Schenectady County Legislator James Buhrmaster by a decisive margin.{{cite web|url=https://dailygazette.com/article/2008/11/05/1105_tonko|title=Tonko wins to succeed McNulty – The Daily Gazette|website=dailygazette.com|date=November 5, 2008 }} According to the Times Union, "Tonko's name recognition ... accomplishment in the Legislature, such as the passage of mental health parity legislation, and his record" contributed to his win.Standforth, Lauren, and Carol Demare, "Tonko cruises to win in 21st Congressional District: Democrat goes to D.C. with handy win over Buhrmaster", November 5, 2008, found at [http://timesunion.com/AspStories/story.asp?storyID=736413 Election coverage] {{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}. Retrieved November 5, 2008. He had effectively clinched a seat in Congress in the primary; the 21st had long been the only safe Democratic district in the state outside the New York City, Buffalo and Rochester areas.

==2010–present==

Tonko ran for reelection on the Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party lines. He was challenged by Republican and Conservative Party nominee Ted Danz, a former United States Navy Reservist and small business owner in the cooling and heating business. Tonko raised almost $980,000, and spent almost $780,000 on his campaign; Danz raised about $44,000 and spent about $42,000 on his campaign.[http://www.opensecrets.org/races/summary.php?id=NY21&cycle=2010 Campaign contributions] from OpenSecrets. Accessed December 20, 2010.[http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/house/new-york/21 Race profile] at The New York Times. Accessed December 20, 2010. The New York Times rated the seat "Solid Democratic", with a "99.8%" to "100% chance" that Tonko would win. The major issues in the 2010 race were Tonko's votes for Obamacare, the Stimulus Package (ARRA), and the Energy Bill. The Albany Times Union endorsed Tonko, citing "a way of thinking and speaking like the engineer that he once was" and his support of the economic stimulus bill and health care bills.Editorial, "Paul Tonko for Congress,"

Albany Times Union, October 27, 2010. Found at [http://www.timesunion.com/opinion/article/Paul-Tonko-for-Congress-725101.php Times Union.com]. Accessed December 20, 2010. Tonko won the November 2 general election, 124,889 votes to 85,752.

Redistricting saw Tonko's district renumbered the 20th district.{{cite web|url=https://dailygazette.com/article/2018/11/07/tonko-secures-sixth-term-in-congress|title=Tonko secures sixth term in Congress – The Daily Gazette|website=dailygazette.com|date=November 7, 2018 }} It lost much of its more rural territory to the west. To make up for the loss in population, it was pushed further into Saratoga County. The new 20th was no less Democratic than the old 21st, and Tonko defeated Bob Dieterich in 2012,{{cite web|url=https://www.saratogian.com/news/rep-paul-tonko-defeats-challenger-bob-dieterich/article_34a35149-962d-5968-aeae-8ba2b0c4e311.html|title=Rep. Paul Tonko defeats challenger Bob Dieterich|first=Caitlin|last=Morris|website=The Saratogian|date=November 6, 2012}} Jim Fischer in 2014,{{cite web|url=https://dailygazette.com/article/2014/11/04/tonko-defeats-fischer-20th-congressional-district|title=Tonko defeats Fischer in 20th Congressional District – The Daily Gazette|website=dailygazette.com}} and Joe Vitollo in 2016{{cite web|url=https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Republican-Joe-Vitollo-tries-to-upset-U-S-Rep-10602160.php|title=U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko defeats challenger Joe Vitollo|date=November 9, 2016|website=Times Union}} and 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.recordernews.com/news/local-news/137871|title=Tonko defeats Vitollo for sixth term in Congress|website=Recorder News |date=November 6, 2018}} He defeated Liz Joy in 2020 and 2022.{{Cite web |title=Rep. Paul Tonko re-elected, defeats Liz Joy in rematch race for NY-20 |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/capital-region/politics/2022/11/08/rep--paul-tonko-re-elected-to-congress--defeats-liz-joy-in-rematch-race-for-ny-20 |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |language=en}} He defeated Kevin Waltz in 2024.

= Tenure =

Tonko was one of the 19 most liberal House members, according to the National Journal, for 2011.{{cite news|url=http://nationaljournal.com/pictures-video/most-liberal-house-members-pictures-20120223|work=National Journal|title=Most Liberal House Members – PICTURES|date=February 23, 2012|access-date=March 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314222109/http://www.nationaljournal.com/pictures-video/most-liberal-house-members-pictures-20120223|archive-date=March 14, 2012|url-status=dead}} He voted with President Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time in the 117th Congress, according to a FiveThirtyEight analysis.

{{Cite web |last1=Bycoffe |first1=Aaron |last2=Wiederkehr |first2=Anna |date=April 22, 2021 |title=Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210522014239/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/biden-congress-votes/house/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 22, 2021 |access-date=November 15, 2023 |website=FiveThirtyEight |language=en}}

When he entered Congress, Tonko said he wanted to focus on the issue he said he knows best—energy policy.{{cite web|title=Rep. Paul Tonko (D)|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/paul-tonko-ny/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120111113756/http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/2010/person/paul-tonko-ny/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 11, 2012|publisher=The National Journal}} He sponsored a bill to create an $800 million research program in wind energy technologies, which would benefit GE in his district. He also wanted to create a research program to improve the efficiency of gas turbines used in power generation systems that convert heat into energy. In 2010, Tonko got a provision in a House-passed bill, following the BP disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, to prevent future spills and help small businesses in spill research. In 2011, he sponsored an amendment seeking to protect the Environmental Protection Agency's authority to regulate carbon emissions.{{cite web|url=http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/person/paul-tonko-ny/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120904072256/http://www.nationaljournal.com/almanac/person/paul-tonko-ny/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 4, 2012 |title=Rep. Paul Tonko (D-NY, 21st District) NationalJournal.com |publisher=Archive.is |access-date=October 8, 2018}}

Tonko praised the 2011 State of the Union address, saying, "the President set out a bold agenda for our nation, an agenda that will focus on growing our economy, growing jobs, and growing opportunity for the middle class".{{cite news|last=Tonko|first=Paul|title=State of the Union Response|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-paul-tonko/state-of-the-union-respon_b_814981.html|newspaper=The Huffington Post|date=January 27, 2011}} He has also often warned of the threat that Obamacare's repeal would pose to small businesses, young people, and seniors.{{cite web|title=Rep. Paul Tonko|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/rep-paul-tonko|work=The Huffington Post}}

Tonko has worked to raise awareness about the region's waterways, chiefly the Hudson and Mohawk rivers, and the effects of flooding after Hurricane Irene. Seeking a comprehensive flood mitigation and economic development strategy, Tonko introduced the Hudson-Mohawk Basin Act in 2012.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Tonko-bill-casts-wide-river-net-3690753.php#page-1|title=Tonko bill casts wide river net|last=LeBrun|first=Fred|work=timesunion.com}}

Tonko became a prominent opponent of the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) in 2015, citing American trade deficits and the use of child labor by at least four countries that had already signed the pact as among his reasons for opposing the deal.{{cite web|url=http://m.timesunion.com/news/article/Trade-official-boosts-Trans-Pacific-Partnership-6187474.php|title=Trade official boosts Trans Pacific Partnership, but U.S. Rep. Paul D. Tonko, labor have doubts|work=Times Union |date=April 8, 2015|access-date=October 8, 2018}}

In 2017, Tonko was one of three Catholic politicians whom Bishop Edward Bernard Scharfenberger of Albany publicly rebuked for participating in a rally supporting Planned Parenthood.{{cite news |last=Churchill |first=Chris |date=February 16, 2017 |title=Churchill: Bishop scolds Catholic politicians who stood with Planned Parenthood |url=https://www.timesunion.com/tuplus-local/article/Churchill-Bishop-scolds-Catholic-politicians-who-10936380.php |work=Times Union |location=Albany, NY}}

In January 2019, Tonko—a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee—was named chair of that committee's Subcommittee on the Environment and Climate Change.{{cite web|url=https://www.wamc.org/post/tonko-named-chair-subcommittee-climate-change|title=Tonko Named Chair Of Subcommittee On Climate Change|first=Lucas|last=Willard|website=www.wamc.org|date=January 15, 2019}}

On October 1, 2020, Tonko co-signed a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo that condemned Azerbaijan’s offensive operations against the Armenian-populated enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, denounced Turkey’s role in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, and criticized "false equivalence between Armenia and Azerbaijan, even as the latter threatens war and refuses to agree to monitoring along the line of contact."{{cite news |title=Senate and House Leaders to Secretary of State Pompeo: Cut Military Aid to Azerbaijan; Sanction Turkey for Ongoing Attacks Against Armenia and Artsakh |url=https://armenianweekly.com/2020/10/02/senate-and-house-leaders-to-secretary-of-state-pompeo-cut-military-aid-to-azerbaijan-sanction-turkey-for-ongoing-attacks-against-armenia-and-artsakh/ |work=The Armenian Weekly |date=October 2, 2020}}

In 2022, Tonko was instrumental in passing provisions contained in the CHIPS and Science Act ([https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/4346 PL 117-167]) into law.{{Cite web |last=Rulison |first=Larry |date=June 21, 2022 |title=Tonko and business executives push passage of CHIPS Act |url=https://www.timesunion.com/business/article/Tonko-and-business-executives-push-passage-of-17253596.php |access-date=November 10, 2022 |website=Times Union |language=en-US}}

==Syria==

In 2023, Tonko was among 56 Democrats to vote in favor of H. Con. Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.{{cite web |url=https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h136 | title=H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023 | date=March 8, 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2023-03-08/house-votes-down-bill-directing-removal-of-troops-from-syria |title=House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria |date=March 8, 2023 |agency=Associated Press}}

=Committee assignments=

=Caucus memberships=

Tonko is a member of more than 65 House caucuses. Below is a small sample of his memberships:

Congressional Progressive Caucus{{cite web|title=Tonko Joins House Progressive Caucus|url=https://tonko.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3782|publisher=Paul Tonko|date=January 10, 2023|access-date=January 10, 2023}}
Congressional Addiction, Treatment and Recovery Caucus (Vice Chair){{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Congressional Caucus on Parkinson's Disease{{cite web | url=https://www.michaeljfox.org/congressional-caucus-parkinsons-disease | title=Congressional Caucus on Parkinson's Disease | Parkinson's Disease }}
Bipartisan Congressional Task Force on Alzheimer's disease{{cite web | url=https://alzimpact.org/congress_member_search | title=Congress Member Search }}
Congressional Army Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Congressional Arts Caucus{{cite web|title=Membership|url=https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|publisher=Congressional Arts Caucus|access-date=March 23, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140644/https://artscaucus-slaughter.house.gov/membership|archive-date=June 12, 2018|url-status=dead}}
Congressional Biomass Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Heritage Corridor Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Congressional Safe Climate Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Congressional Solar Caucus{{cite web|title=Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi And Ralph Norman Relaunch The Bipartisan Congressional Solar Caucus For The 118th Congress|author=|url=https://krishnamoorthi.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressmen-raja-krishnamoorthi-and-ralph-norman-relaunch-bipartisan|format=|publisher=United States Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi|date=May 25, 2023|accessdate=19 November 2024}}
Congressional Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Equality Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Congressional Mental Health Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Congressional Voting Rights Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
House Manufacturing Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
House Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
House Baltic Caucus{{cite web|title=Members|url=http://housebalticcaucus.webs.com/members|publisher=House Baltic Caucus|access-date=February 21, 2018}}
Medicare for All Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Blue Collar Caucus{{Citation needed|date=March 2022}}
Rare Disease Caucus{{cite web|title=Rare Disease Congressional Caucus|author=|url=https://everylifefoundation.org/rare-advocates/rarecaucus/rarecaucus-members/|format=|publisher=Every Life Foundation for Rare Diseases|date=|accessdate=10 January 2025}}
Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans{{cite web|title=Members of the Caucus on U.S. - Türkiye Relations & Turkish Americans|author=|url=https://www.tc-america.org/in-congress/caucus.htm|publisher=Turkish Coalition of America|date=|accessdate=27 March 2025}}

Electoral history

=U.S. House of Representatives=

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title=US House election, 2008: New York District 21{{cite web|title=2008 Democratic Primary|date=September 9, 2008|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/3274}}{{cite web|title=2008 General|date=November 4, 2008|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/3541}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| votes = 15,932

| percentage = 39.50%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Tracey Brooks

| votes = 12,166

| percentage = 30.16%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Phillip Steck

| votes = 7,498

| percentage = 18.59%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Darius Shahinfar

| votes = 4,002

| percentage = 9.92%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Joseph Sullivan

| votes = 738

| percentage = 1.83%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 40,336

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 159,849

| percentage = 57.94%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Working Families Party of New York

| votes = 11,437

| percentage = 4.15%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Total

| votes = 171,286

| percentage = 62.09%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Buhrmaster

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 85,267

| percentage = 30.91%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Jim Buhrmaster

| party = Conservative Party of New York

| votes = 11,332

| percentage = 4.11%}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Jim Buhrmaster

| party = Total

| votes = 96,599

| percentage = 35.02%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Phil Steck

| party = Independence Party of New York

| votes = 7,965

| percentage = 2.89%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 22

| percentage = 0.01%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 275,872

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=US House election, 2010: New York District 21{{cite web|title=2010 General|date=November 2, 2010|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/2074}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 107,136

|percentage = 50.83%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independence Party of New York

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 9,625

|percentage = 4.57%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Working Families Party

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 8,128

|percentage = 3.86%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

|party = Total

|candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

|votes = 124,889

|percentage = 59.25%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Ted Danz

|votes = 70,211

|percentage = 33.31%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Conservative Party of New York State

|candidate = Ted Danz

|votes = 15,541

|percentage = 7.37%}}

{{Election box candidate no change

|party = Total

|candidate = Ted Danz

|votes = 85,752

|percentage = 40.68%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 150

| percentage = 0.07%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 210,791

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=US House election, 2012: New York District 20{{cite web|title=2010 General|date=November 6, 2012|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/2477}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 181,093

|percentage = 60.91%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Working Families Party

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 12,017

|percentage = 4.04%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independence Party of New York

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 10,291

|percentage = 3.46%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

|party = Total

|candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

|votes = 203,401

|percentage = 68.41%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = Robert Dieterich

|votes = 79,102

|percentage = 26.61%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Conservative Party of New York State

|candidate = Robert Dieterich

|votes = 14,676

|percentage = 4.94%}}

{{Election box candidate no change

|party = Total

|candidate = Robert Dieterich

|votes = 93,778

|percentage = 31.54%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 135

| percentage = 0.05%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 297,314

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=US House election, 2014: New York District 20{{cite web|title=2014 General|date=November 4, 2014|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/1751}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Democratic Party (United States)

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 103,437

|percentage = 50.62%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Working Families Party

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 11,285

|percentage = 5.52%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Independence Party of New York

|candidate = Paul Tonko

|votes = 10,389

|percentage = 5.08%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

|party = Total

|candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

|votes = 125,111

|percentage = 61.23%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Republican Party (United States)

|candidate = James Fischer

|votes = 61,820

|percentage = 30.26%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

|party = Conservative Party of New York State

|candidate = James Fischer

|votes = 17,284

|percentage = 8.46%}}

{{Election box candidate no change

|party = Total

|candidate = James Fischer

|votes = 79,104

|percentage = 38.71%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 114

| percentage = 0.06%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 204,329

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=US House election, 2016: New York District 20{{cite web|title=2016 General|date=November 8, 2016|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/1641}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 188,426

| percentage = 60.02%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Working Families Party

| votes = 10,929

| percentage = 3.48%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Independence Party of New York

| votes = 10,626

| percentage = 3.38%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Women's Equality Party (New York)

| votes = 3,037

| percentage = 0.97%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

| party = Total

| votes = 213,018

| percentage = 67.85%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joe Vitollo

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 83,321

| percentage = 26.54%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joe Vitollo

| party = Conservative Party of New York State

| votes = 15,911

| percentage = 5.07%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joe Vitollo

| party = Reform Party (United States)

| votes = 1,508

| percentage = 0.48%}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Joe Vitollo

| party = Total

| votes = 100,740

| percentage = 32.09%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 181

| percentage = 0.06%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 313,939

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=US House election, 2018: New York District 20{{cite web|title=2018 General|date=November 6, 2018|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/1342}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 161,330

| percentage = 60.65%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Working Families Party

| votes = 10,129

| percentage = 3.81%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Women's Equality Party (New York)

| votes = 3,712

| percentage = 1.40%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Reform Party of New York State

| votes = 1,640

| percentage = 0.62%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

| party = Total

| votes = 176,811

| percentage = 66.47%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Joe Vitollo

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 89,058

| percentage = 33.48%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 145

| percentage = 0.05%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 266,014

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=US House election, 2020: New York District 20{{cite web|title=2020 General|date=November 3, 2020|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/552}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 194,071

| percentage = 54.01%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Working Families Party

| votes = 19,678

| percentage = 5.48%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Independence Party of New York

| votes = 5,956

| percentage = 1.66%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

| party = Total

| votes = 219,705

| percentage = 61.14%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Liz Joy

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 120,839

| percentage = 33.63%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Liz Joy

| party = Conservative Party of New York State

| votes = 17,849

| percentage = 4.97%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Liz Joy

| party = Serve America Movement

| votes = 758

| percentage = 0.21%}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Liz Joy

| party = Total

| votes = 139,446

| percentage = 38.81%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 191

| percentage = 0.05%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 359,342

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box open primary begin no change

| title=US House election, 2022: New York District 20{{cite web|title=2022 Democratic Primary|date=August 23, 2022|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/265}}{{cite web|title=2022 General|date=November 8, 2022|url=https://results.elections.ny.gov/contest/24}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

| votes = 18,251

| percentage = 88.28%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| candidate = Rostov Rar

| votes = 2,422

| percentage = 11.72%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 20,673

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 145,928

| percentage = 50.07%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Working Families Party

| votes = 14,492

| percentage = 4.97%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)

| party = Total

| votes = 160,420

| percentage = 55.05%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Liz Joy

| party = Republican Party (United States)

| votes = 110,903

| percentage = 38.05%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Liz Joy

| party = Conservative Party of New York State

| votes = 19,966

| percentage = 6.85%}}

{{Election box candidate no change

| candidate = Liz Joy

| party = Total

| votes = 130,869

| percentage = 44.91%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change

| votes = 144

| percentage = 0.05%}}

{{Election box total no change

| votes = 291,433

| percentage = 100}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change

| winner = Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box begin no change | title=US House election, 2024: New York District 20{{cite web|title=2024 General|date=November 5, 2024|url=https://elections.ny.gov/certified-november-5-2024-general-election-results-approved-12092024}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Democratic Party (United States)

| votes = 200,354

| percentage = 55.13%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko

| party = Working Families Party

| votes = 21,643

| percentage = 5.95%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change

| candidate = Paul Tonko (incumbent)