For Josh Riley, the second time’s the charm.

The fifth-generation Endicott native and lawyer will win the race for New York’s 19th Congressional District, the Associated Press has declared, unseating Republican Rep. Marc Molinaro in a bitter rematch contest from two years ago.

Riley was leading Molinaro 50.5% to 49.5%, according to the latest unofficial results from the AP.

It’s a comeback for Riley, who came within 2 points of beating Molinaro in 2022 for what at that time was an open House seat. The close margin two years ago made the 19th District one of the most hotly contested races in the country this year, with Riley jumping back in the race only four months into Molinaro’s term.

The congressman-elect is not a stranger to Washington, however. Born in Broome County, Riley served as a staff assistant for former Rep. Maurice Hinchey’s office, as a policy analyst at the U.S. Department of Labor and counsel on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee.

Riley’s victory puts an end to Molinaro’s brief time in Congress, which follows an already lengthy record in local and state offices.

The 19th District stretches from Rensselaer and Columbia counties in the east to Tompkins County and includes the cities of Binghamton and Ithaca.

Riley will be sworn in in January as a member of the 119th Congress.