Ex-Rep. Marc Molinaro Seeks NY Political Comeback After Trump Admin Role

The former congressman and Dutchess County executive is running for a state Assembly seat after serving as Federal Transit Administrator.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Marc Molinaro, a former New York congressman and Dutchess County executive, is making a political comeback by running for a state Assembly seat after serving as the Federal Transit Administrator in the Trump administration. Molinaro, who lost his House re-election bid in 2024, says he is running to be closer to families and communities and address the challenges they face.

Why it matters

Molinaro's potential return to state-level politics in New York is seen as a significant move, as he has held various elected offices over the past two decades. His decision to leave a federal leadership role to run for a state legislature seat is viewed by some as an unconventional career move, but Molinaro argues that public service is about standing closer to the people and their daily challenges.

The details

Molinaro announced he had officially stepped down from his post as director of the Federal Transit Administration, which he had served in since August. He said he would run in November for the 102nd Assembly District seat occupied by fellow Republican Chris Tague, who will be vying for the state Senate. Molinaro previously served as the Dutchess County executive for about a decade and held an upstate Assembly seat until 2011. He ran unsuccessfully for governor in 2018 and then won a House of Representatives seat in 2022, only to lose re-election in 2024 to Democrat Josh Riley.

  • Molinaro served as the Federal Transit Administrator since August 2025.
  • Molinaro announced his resignation from the Federal Transit Administration on February 23, 2026.
  • Molinaro will run for the 102nd Assembly District seat in November 2026.

The players

Marc Molinaro

A former New York congressman and Dutchess County executive who is making a political comeback by running for a state Assembly seat after serving as the Federal Transit Administrator in the Trump administration.

Chris Tague

The current representative of the 102nd Assembly District, who is running for the state Senate.

Josh Riley

The Democrat who defeated Molinaro in the 2024 House of Representatives election.

Ed Ra

The Assembly Minority Leader, who praised Molinaro's record and expressed excitement about his potential homecoming.

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What they’re saying

“To some, leaving a federal leadership role to serve in a state legislature may look like a step backward. I understand that perception. Public service is often measured by titles or proximity to power – and distant from the people.”

— Marc Molinaro (Substack)

“Public service is about standing closer — closer to families, closer to communities, and closer to the challenges that shape daily life.”

— Marc Molinaro (Substack)

“I can't imagine many candidates with a more impressive record than Marc Molinaro. He's deeply connected to the families, the communities, and the issues in the 102nd District. If you know Marc, you know what public service means to him. It's a homecoming a lot of people are excited about.”

— Ed Ra, Assembly Minority Leader (Statement)

What’s next

Molinaro will officially launch his campaign for the 102nd Assembly District seat in the coming weeks, and the race is expected to be closely watched as he seeks to make a political comeback in New York.

The takeaway

Molinaro's decision to leave a high-profile federal role to run for a state legislative seat reflects his belief that public service is about being close to the people and their daily challenges, rather than just holding prestigious titles. His potential return to state politics in New York is seen as an intriguing development, as he aims to rebuild his political career after a recent electoral defeat.