Marc Molinaro

Marc Molinaro
Official portrait, 2025
Marc Molinaro
Born	Marcus James Molinaro 8 10, 1975
Birthplace	Yonkers, New York, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician
Known for	Youngest mayor in the United States (1995), Republican nominee for Governor of New York (2018)
Education	Dutchess Community College (AS)
Spouse(s)	Template:Plainlist
Children	4

Marcus James Molinaro (born October 8, 1975) is an American politician from New York who has held public office at nearly every level of government over a career spanning more than three decades. A member of the Republican Party, Molinaro first entered public life at the age of 18 when he was elected to the Village of Tivoli's Board of Trustees, and at 19 became the youngest mayor in the United States upon his election as mayor of Tivoli in 1995. He went on to serve in the Dutchess County Legislature, the New York State Assembly, and as Dutchess County Executive for over a decade. In 2018, Molinaro was the Republican nominee for governor of New York, challenging incumbent Andrew Cuomo in the general election. He served one term in the United States House of Representatives from 2023 to 2025, and in 2025, President Donald Trump nominated him to lead the Federal Transit Administration. Molinaro was confirmed by the Senate and served as administrator from August 2025 until February 2026. In February 2026, he announced his candidacy for the New York State Assembly's 102nd district.

Early Life

Marcus James Molinaro was born on October 8, 1975, in Yonkers, New York. He grew up in the Hudson Valley region of New York State and settled in the small village of Tivoli in Dutchess County. Details of his early family life have been discussed in various profiles over the years. According to a 2018 profile in The New York Times, Molinaro grew up in modest circumstances, and his personal background—including experiences with family hardship—later informed his approach to governance and social policy.

Molinaro's entry into public service came at a remarkably young age. At 18, he ran for and won a seat on the Village of Tivoli's Board of Trustees, marking the beginning of what would become one of the longest continuous careers in New York Republican politics. Just one year later, in 1995, at the age of 19, he was elected mayor of Tivoli, making him the youngest mayor in the United States at the time. He would go on to serve as mayor for over a decade, winning reelection five times before moving on to higher office. His tenure as the nation's youngest mayor attracted early media attention and established his reputation as a rising figure in New York's Republican Party.

Education

Molinaro attended Dutchess Community College, where he earned an Associate of Science degree. Unlike many of his peers in statewide and national politics, Molinaro did not pursue a four-year college degree, a fact that became part of his biographical narrative during his 2018 gubernatorial campaign. His supporters characterized his career trajectory—beginning with elected office before completing higher education—as evidence of a commitment to public service rooted in practical experience rather than academic credentialing.

Career

Mayor of Tivoli (1995–2007)

Molinaro's election as mayor of Tivoli in 1995 at the age of 19 drew national attention and established him as a distinctive figure in New York politics. He served as mayor for twelve years, winning five reelections. During his time as mayor, he managed the affairs of the small Hudson Valley village while simultaneously beginning to build a broader political career in Dutchess County. His predecessor as mayor was Edward Neese, and he was succeeded by Thomas Cordier upon leaving office in 2007.

Dutchess County Legislature (2001–2006)

While still serving as mayor of Tivoli, Molinaro was elected to the Dutchess County Legislature in 2001, succeeding Frances Mark. He served in the county legislature for six years, a period during which he gained experience in county-level governance, budgeting, and policy. He left the legislature at the end of 2006 upon his election to the New York State Assembly. David Seymour succeeded him in his county legislative seat.

New York State Assembly (2007–2011)

In 2006, Molinaro was elected to represent the 103rd district in the New York State Assembly, succeeding Patrick Manning. He took office on January 1, 2007, and served through December 31, 2011. During his time in the Assembly, Molinaro represented a largely rural district in the Hudson Valley and was part of the Republican minority in the Democratic-controlled chamber. His Assembly tenure provided him with experience in state-level policymaking and positioned him for his next political move. He was succeeded in the Assembly by Didi Barrett.

Dutchess County Executive (2012–2023)

Molinaro was elected Dutchess County Executive in 2011, succeeding William Steinhaus, and took office on January 1, 2012. He won reelection in 2015, securing a second term as the head of Dutchess County's executive branch.

As county executive, Molinaro oversaw the governance of a county with a population of approximately 300,000 residents. He focused on fiscal management, economic development, and government reform initiatives. His record as county executive became a central element of his political identity and formed the basis of his statewide campaign in 2018. Governor Andrew Cuomo appointed Molinaro as a member of a Mandate Relief Redesign Team, an initiative aimed at addressing unfunded state mandates on local governments. This appointment reflected Molinaro's cross-partisan engagement on issues of local government reform, even as he remained a Republican officeholder.

Molinaro won a third term as county executive in 2019. He continued to serve in the role until January 3, 2023, when he departed to take his seat in the United States Congress. William O'Neil succeeded him as Dutchess County Executive.

2018 Gubernatorial Campaign

In early 2018, Molinaro publicly signaled his intention to seek the Republican nomination for governor of New York, challenging incumbent Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo. He formally launched his candidacy on April 2, 2018, framing himself as a small-town leader with practical governing experience who could provide an alternative to Cuomo's leadership.

The Republican Party formally nominated Molinaro at its state convention in May 2018. He also received the endorsement of the New York State Conservative Party, consolidating support on the right. Additionally, the Reform Party of New York nominated him for the gubernatorial race.

Molinaro selected Julie Killian, a former Westchester County state Senate candidate, as his running mate for lieutenant governor.

During the campaign, Molinaro emphasized what he characterized as a "character argument" against Cuomo, focusing on corruption in Albany and what he described as the governor's failure to address the needs of upstate communities. He highlighted his record as county executive, his life story, and his experience governing at multiple levels. Media profiles noted his small-town roots and his early start in politics as distinguishing biographical elements of his candidacy.

Molinaro formally accepted the Republican nomination at the party's convention. In the November 2018 general election, he was defeated by Cuomo, who won a third term in office. The results were consistent with a broader Democratic wave in the 2018 midterm elections across the nation.

U.S. House of Representatives (2023–2025)

Following his long tenure as Dutchess County Executive, Molinaro entered the race for New York's 19th congressional district in 2021. The district, which covered a large swath of upstate New York, became the site of two separate contests in 2022: a special election to fill a vacancy and a general election for the full term under newly redrawn district lines.

In the special election held on August 23, 2022, Molinaro faced Democratic nominee Pat Ryan. Ryan won the special election with 51.2% of the vote to Molinaro's 48.8%. However, due to redistricting, the general election in November 2022 featured different geographic boundaries and a different Democratic opponent, Josh Riley. In the November contest, Molinaro prevailed over Riley, winning election to a full term in Congress.

Molinaro took office on January 3, 2023, and served as the representative for the 19th district during the 118th Congress. During his single term, he engaged on issues including federal aviation funding and transit policy. In the 2024 general election, Molinaro faced a rematch with Josh Riley and was defeated, ending his tenure in Congress on January 3, 2025.

Federal Transit Administration (2025–2026)

In February 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Molinaro to serve as Administrator of the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), a key agency within the United States Department of Transportation responsible for overseeing federal investment in public transit systems across the country. The nomination was considered by the United States Senate, which confirmed Molinaro in a bipartisan vote of 71–23, reflecting broad support across party lines. Molinaro took office on August 4, 2025, succeeding Nuria I. Fernandez as FTA Administrator, with Tariq Bokhari serving as his deputy.

Molinaro's tenure at the FTA was brief. He left the position on February 20, 2026. Shortly after departing the federal role, he announced his candidacy for the New York State Assembly.

2026 New York State Assembly Campaign

On February 23, 2026, Molinaro announced that he would seek election to the New York State Assembly's 102nd district, marking a return to state-level politics. In announcing his campaign, Molinaro stated, "I'm coming home," framing his candidacy as a continuation of his long record of public service in the Hudson Valley region.

The announcement drew attention from both state and national media, with commentators noting the unusual trajectory of a former congressman and federal agency administrator seeking a seat in the state legislature. Molinaro himself addressed the perception, stating that the move was "not a step back" but rather "a comeback in ways." His campaign has focused on issues including property taxes, cost of living, infrastructure projects, and environmental matters such as the Hudson River cleanup.

Coverage by the New York Post characterized the Assembly bid as a "political comeback" following his stint in the Trump administration. The 102nd Assembly district encompasses portions of the Hudson Valley.

Personal Life

Molinaro has been married twice. His first marriage, to a woman named Christy, ended in divorce. He subsequently married Corinne Adams. He has four children. Molinaro has resided in the Hudson Valley region of New York for much of his life, and his political identity has been closely linked to the area. During his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, multiple media profiles noted his deep roots in the region and his personal narrative, which includes overcoming family challenges during his youth.

In his 2026 Assembly campaign announcement, Molinaro emphasized his connection to the Hudson Valley community, using the phrase "I'm coming home" to signal his return to local and state-level politics after his time in Washington, D.C., and the federal government.

Recognition

Molinaro's early entry into politics attracted national media attention. His 1995 election as mayor of Tivoli at the age of 19 made him the youngest mayor in the United States at the time, a distinction that has been cited in virtually every major profile of his career.

His 2018 gubernatorial nomination earned significant coverage from outlets including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News & World Report, and Politico, among others. His confirmation as FTA Administrator by a bipartisan Senate vote of 71–23 was noted as a reflection of his cross-party appeal on transit and infrastructure issues.

Molinaro's long record of continuous public service—beginning at age 18 and encompassing village, county, state, federal, and executive branch positions—has been a recurring theme in media coverage. A 2018 profile by the Gotham Gazette examined his approach to governance and his emphasis on personal character as a political attribute.

Legacy

Marc Molinaro's career represents one of the longer and more varied records of public service in contemporary New York politics. Beginning with his election to the Tivoli Board of Trustees at age 18 and continuing through village, county, state legislative, congressional, and federal executive positions, Molinaro has held elected or appointed office at virtually every level of American government. His 2026 campaign for the State Assembly, if successful, would add yet another chapter to a career that has spanned more than three decades.

His 2018 gubernatorial campaign, while unsuccessful, positioned him as the most prominent Republican candidate for statewide office in New York during that cycle and gave him a platform to advocate for issues including mandate relief for local governments, anti-corruption measures, and the concerns of upstate New York communities.

His bipartisan Senate confirmation to lead the Federal Transit Administration, with a vote of 71–23, reflected an ability to garner support across party lines on transit and infrastructure policy. His subsequent decision to leave the federal post to return to New York state politics was characterized by media outlets as an unconventional move, with coverage noting that a return to the state Assembly from a congressional and federal executive career was an unusual trajectory in American politics.