2026 Catholic Voter Guide

New York

Where the candidates stand on the issues Pope Leo XIV has raised, in their own words and votes. Every position links to its source.

Election Day · Tuesday, Nov. 3
Step 1
Check or update your registration
Register →
Vote by mail
Request or track a mail ballot
Absentee →
On Election Day
Find your polling place
Look it up →
Beat the line
Vote early
Early voting →

Early in-person voting runs Oct. 24 – Nov. 1, 2026. Mailed absentee ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3 and received by the county board by Nov. 10. Official source ↗

How to use this guide. For each race, open an issue to see what Pope Leo XIV has taught and what each candidate has said or done, side by side. Where a candidate has served in office, we add their recorded votes on the same key bills for everyone in that chamber, linked to the official roll call. We summarize; we do not score or endorse. Candidates are listed alphabetically. Where we could not find a public position, we say so. Click any bracketed source to read it yourself. New to Catholic voting principles? Start with our national guide to Faithful Citizenship.
New York · 2026

U.S. House, District 3

Rematch of 2024, when incumbent Tom Suozzi (D) defeated Mike LiPetri (R) by about 3 points.

Download printable PDF ↓
Mike LiPetri
Republican · Challenger
Attorney and former New York State Assemblyman (2019–2020).
Campaign website ↗
Tom Suozzi
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative; former Nassau County executive and Glen Cove mayor.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Mike LiPetri
Calls for shutting down boycotts of Israel and says Iran and its proxies must face “relentless and unmatched force” for terrorism; said he disagreed with the administration buying Russian diesel.
[1] LiPetri campaign: Issues[2] Newsday: debate takeaways
Tom Suozzi
Calls for a “phase out of the Iran War” and enforcing limits on war without congressional authorization; voted for Iran war powers resolutions and the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] Suozzi campaign: Affordability Plan[2] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 307 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[4] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Mike LiPetri
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Tom Suozzi
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and the Protect America’s Workforce Act (2025), which restores federal workers’ collective bargaining; endorsed by the New York State AFL-CIO.
[1] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] House roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act[3] Suozzi campaign: endorsements
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Mike LiPetri
Backs extending the Trump tax cuts, eliminating taxes on tips, overtime and Social Security, and a “personal, portable, and preventative” health system; criticized Suozzi’s vote against the 2025 tax-and-spending law.
[1] LiPetri campaign: Issues[2] Newsday: debate takeaways
Tom Suozzi
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law, citing Medicaid and food-aid cuts; voted for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA subsidies (2026) and authored a two-year extension with income limits.
[1] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)[3] Newsday: debate takeaways[4] Suozzi campaign: Affordability Plan
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Mike LiPetri
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Tom Suozzi
Campaign says he “will always fight to defend a woman’s right to make her own healthcare decisions”; voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (2025).
[1] Suozzi campaign: Tom on the Issues[2] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Mike LiPetri
No public position found.
Tom Suozzi
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Mike LiPetri
Says the U.S. must “continue to deport those criminals here illegally” and require every immigrant to enter legally.
[1] LiPetri campaign: Issues
Record in office
Tom Suozzi
Voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025); backs border security plus earned legal status for undocumented immigrants who work, pay taxes and have no criminal record. Said he regretted a January 2026 vote to fund ICE.
[1] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] Newsday: debate takeaways[3] Politico: Suozzi on DHS funding vote
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Mike LiPetri
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Tom Suozzi
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Mike LiPetri
Co-chaired a statewide water-quality task force as an assemblyman and co-sponsored a ban on household products containing 1,4-dioxane; calls protecting waterways “one of my highest priorities.”
[1] LiPetri campaign: Issues[2] NY Assembly: A06295 (2019)
Record in office
Tom Suozzi
Says “climate change is real and requires bold solutions”; co-sponsors a bill restoring clean-energy tax credits and backs permitting reform for energy projects. Voted to overturn California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025).
[1] Suozzi campaign: Tom on the Issues[2] Suozzi campaign: Affordability Plan[3] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver
Voting record
New York · 2026

U.S. House, District 4

Incumbent Laura Gillen (D) flipped the seat in 2024; former Rep. Anthony D’Esposito did not run again.

Download printable PDF ↓
Jeanine Driscoll
Republican · Challenger
Hempstead Town Receiver of Taxes since 2020; attorney.
Campaign website ↗
Laura Gillen
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative; former Hempstead town supervisor and attorney.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Jeanine Driscoll
No public position found.
Laura Gillen
Voted for Iran war powers resolutions in March, June and September 2026 and for the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[2] House roll call 199 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 307 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[4] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Jeanine Driscoll
No public position found.
Laura Gillen
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and the Protect America’s Workforce Act (2025).
[1] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] House roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Jeanine Driscoll
Supports fully restoring the SALT deduction and the 2025 law’s no-tax-on-tips, overtime and Social Security provisions; says Congress should examine Social Security’s long-term funding.
[1] Driscoll campaign website[2] Breitbart interview (July 2026)
Laura Gillen
Says she “stood up against historic Medicaid cuts” and voted against the 2025 reconciliation law; voted for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (2026).
[1] Gillen campaign: Meet Laura[2] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[3] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Jeanine Driscoll
No public position found.
Laura Gillen
Voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (2025) and the Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act (2026).
[1] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act[2] House roll call 37 (2026): Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Jeanine Driscoll
No public position found.
Laura Gillen
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jeanine Driscoll
Pledges to “ensure the southern border can never be opened again.”
[1] Driscoll campaign website
Laura Gillen
Voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025); has pushed to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians and voted for the 2026 Haiti TPS bill.
[1] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] Gillen campaign: Meet Laura[3] House roll call 120 (2026): Haiti TPS designation bill
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Jeanine Driscoll
No public position found.
Laura Gillen
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Jeanine Driscoll
No public position found.
Laura Gillen
Voted to overturn California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025) and against the 2025 reconciliation law, which also phased out clean-energy tax credits.
[1] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver[2] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Voting record
New York · 2026

U.S. House, District 17

Incumbent Mike Lawler (R) holds a seat Kamala Harris carried in 2024.

Download printable PDF ↓
Cait Conley
Democrat · Challenger
Army combat veteran and former senior election-security official at CISA.
Campaign website ↗
Mike Lawler
Republican · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2023; former state assemblyman.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Cait Conley
Calls for ending military escalation with Iran in favor of diplomacy, congressional oversight of military action, a two-state solution for Israel and Palestinians, and continued support for Ukraine.
[1] Conley campaign: Policy
Mike Lawler
Opposed and voted against Iran war powers resolutions in 2026; said the only purpose he could see for ground troops would be securing enriched uranium. Voted for the Ukraine Support Act (2026).
[1] The Hill: Lawler on war powers[2] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 199 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[4] The Hill: Lawler on troops[5] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Cait Conley
Backs AI guardrails including age verification, data-privacy laws, binding data-center agreements to protect utility rates, and worker retraining; supports the PRO Act.
[1] Conley campaign: Policy
Mike Lawler
Voted for the Faster Labor Contracts Act (2026) and the Protect America’s Workforce Act (2025), breaking with most Republicans.
[1] House roll call 216 (2026): Faster Labor Contracts Act[2] House roll call 332 (2025): Protect America’s Workforce Act
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Cait Conley
Supports a public insurance option open to all, defending the ACA and Medicaid, and adding vision, dental and hearing to Medicare.
[1] Conley campaign: Policy
Mike Lawler
Voted for the 2025 reconciliation law, defending it at town halls; voted for a three-year extension of enhanced ACA premium tax credits (2026).
[1] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2] WAMC: Lawler defends vote[3] House roll call 11 (2026): H.R. 1834 (ACA subsidy discharge bill)[4] PoliticsPA: discharge petition for three-year ACA subsidy extension
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Cait Conley
Supports “passing Roe v. Wade into law,” including access to abortion, contraception and IVF, and restoring Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood.
[1] Conley campaign: Policy
Mike Lawler
Opposes abortion except in cases of rape, incest or risk to the mother’s life, and opposes a federal ban; voted for the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (2025).
[1] Lawler op-ed, lohud (2022)[2] House roll call 27 (2025): Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Cait Conley
No public position found.
Mike Lawler
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Cait Conley
Proposes requiring ICE agents to wear body cameras and visible ID, banning masked agents, ending 287(g) agreements, and a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and Dreamers.
[1] Conley campaign: Policy
Mike Lawler
Voted for the Laken Riley Act (2025); was one of a handful of Republicans who voted to grant Temporary Protected Status to Haitian immigrants (2026).
[1] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act[2] House roll call 120 (2026): Haiti TPS designation bill[3] NBC News: House advances Haitian TPS bill
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Cait Conley
Opposes “voucher programs that strip funding from our public education system.”
[1] Conley campaign: Policy
Mike Lawler
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Cait Conley
Treats climate change as a national-security priority: more federal investment in solar, wind and geothermal, rejoining the Paris Agreement, and opposing reopening Indian Point.
[1] Conley campaign: Policy
Mike Lawler
Voted to overturn California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025) and for the 2025 reconciliation law, which phased out many clean-energy tax credits.
[1] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver[2] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act
Voting record
New York · 2026

U.S. House, District 19

Incumbent Josh Riley (D) flipped the seat in 2024; decided by under 3 points in each of the last two elections.

Download printable PDF ↓
Peter Oberacker
Republican · Challenger
New York State Senator since 2021; food scientist and business owner.
Campaign website ↗
Josh Riley
Democrat · Incumbent
U.S. Representative since 2025; former labor attorney and Senate Judiciary Committee counsel.
Campaign website ↗
War & PeaceIran, Gaza, Ukraine, war powers›
Pope Leo XIVLeo invited citizens of every country involved in the war with Iran to contact their leaders and members of Congress “to work for peace and to reject war and violence.”Remarks at Castel Gandolfo, Apr. 7, 2026 (Vatican News via The Good Newsroom)
Peter Oberacker
No public position found.
Josh Riley
Voted for Iran war powers resolutions and the Ukraine Support Act (2026); campaign describes a “peace through strength” approach confronting Iran, Russia, China and North Korea.
[1] House roll call 85 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[2] House roll call 307 (2026): Iran war powers resolution[3] House roll call 207 (2026): Ukraine Support Act[4] Riley campaign: Issues
Voting record
AI & the Dignity of WorkAI rules, unions, workers displaced by automation›
Pope Leo XIV“No one can be reduced to productivity, to cognitive performance, or to mere data.”Magnifica Humanitas presentation, May 25, 2026
Peter Oberacker
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Josh Riley
Backs the PRO Act and tax-deductible union dues; supports comprehensive AI regulation and requiring Big Tech data centers to pay for grid upgrades.
[1] Riley campaign: Issues
Voting record
The Poor & the Safety NetMedicaid, SNAP, health care, wages›
Pope Leo XIVThe preferential choice for the poor is “a source of extraordinary renewal both for the Church and for society.”Dilexi Te, Oct. 4, 2025
Peter Oberacker
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Josh Riley
Voted against the 2025 reconciliation law; wants to reverse its SNAP cuts, raise the Child Tax Credit and expand Medicare to cover dental, vision and hearing.
[1] House roll call 190 (2025): One Big Beautiful Bill Act[2] Riley campaign: Issues
Voting record
Life of the UnbornAbortion, IVF, assisted suicide›
Pope Leo XIVAbortion “cuts short a growing life and refuses to welcome the gift of life.”Address to the Diplomatic Corps, Jan. 9, 2026
Peter Oberacker
In the state Senate, voted against the Medical Aid in Dying Act (2025) and against the 2023 Equal Rights Amendment, which added protections for “pregnancy outcomes” and reproductive autonomy.
[1] NY Senate: S138 (2025) Medical Aid in Dying Act[2] NY Senate: S108 (2023) Equal Rights Amendment
Record in office
Josh Riley
Member of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus; supports the Women’s Health Protection Act to restore Roe’s protections, says “women’s healthcare decisions are women’s healthcare decisions.”
[1] Riley campaign: Issues
Voting record
The Death PenaltyCapital punishment›
Pope Leo XIVSomeone who opposes abortion but favors the death penalty “is not really pro-life.”AP via PBS NewsHour, Sept. 30, 2025
Peter Oberacker
No public position found.
Josh Riley
No public position found.
Immigrants & RefugeesDeportations, enforcement, asylum, citizenship›
Pope Leo XIV“Defending human life also includes welcoming, protecting and assisting immigrants.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Peter Oberacker
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Josh Riley
Supports more border agents and immigration judges and updated farm and trade visa programs; voted for the House version of the Laken Riley Act (2025).
[1] Riley campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 6 (2025): Laken Riley Act
Voting record
Religious Liberty & EducationConscience, school choice, Catholic schools and charities›
Pope Leo XIVReligious freedom is “the right of every person to worship according to conscience.”Letter on the 250th Anniversary of the United States, June 25, 2026
Peter Oberacker
No public position found.
Josh Riley
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Voting record
Care for CreationClimate, energy, environment›
Pope Leo XIV“We cannot love God, whom we cannot see, while despising his creatures.”AP, Oct. 1, 2025
Peter Oberacker
No campaign statement found. See voting record below.
Record in office
Josh Riley
Supports protecting the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases and making polluters pay for cleanups; voted against overturning California’s vehicle-emissions waiver (2025).
[1] Riley campaign: Issues[2] House roll call 111 (2025): H.J.Res. 87, disapproving EPA California vehicle waiver
Voting record
Free or Paid · Direct to Your Inbox

Follow the election with Letters from Leo

The most-read Substack on Pope Leo XIV and American politics. Subscribe here without leaving the page.

← All state voter guides