Who's running in New York's 22nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · John Mannion currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Affordability and cost of living in Central New York.
Reproductive rights.
Public schools and students, the field he came from.
Health care access and addressing addiction.
Protecting Social Security and supporting veterans.
The environment, immigration policy and public safety.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Representative for the 22nd District since January 2025; elected in 2024.
Former New York state senator and public school science teacher; a labour leader.
Also carries the Working Families Party line on the November ballot.
Advanced from the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary.
Arguments in favor
"This is my home, and I have a proven record of delivering results for Central New York and the Mohawk Valley" — a former public school science teacher and labour leader running on affordability, health care, education and veterans.
— John Mannion's campaign
He voted against the 2025 budget reconciliation bill because it would "take away food assistance from kids and seniors" and made "broad and misguided cuts to programs including SNAP and Medicaid", arguing SNAP also supports the district's own producers.
— John Mannion's office
Arguments against
"Central New Yorkers are tired of politicians like John Mannion who pull political stunts and show up to photo ops and ribbon cuttings, but deliver nothing." He votes the party line, which is why she says she has support from "JFK Democrats" who no longer recognise their own party.
— Kailee Buller
Protesters confronted him at a Pride parade and told him he was "not welcome here": "Even New York Democrats don't want John Mannion representing them. That tells you everything you need to know about just how out of touch Mannion is with his constituents."
— National Republican Congressional Committee
What we couldn’t verify
His committee assignments were not established from the sources found.
His response to the "delivers nothing" charge was not established from the sources found.
Reducing utility costs, which she names among voters' top concerns.
Lowering food prices.
Housing availability.
Agricultural labour policy; she has worked on the H-2A visa programme with farmers for over a decade.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Chief of staff at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the second Trump administration.
President and chief executive of the National Oilseed Processors Association and the Edible Oil Producers Association.
Auburn native; University at Buffalo graduate, 2011; mother of three.
Raised $200,000 in her first month and qualified for the ballot with more than 7,500 Republican and over 900 Conservative Party signatures.
Also carries the Conservative Party line on the November ballot.
Backed by House Republican leadership.
Has not held elected office.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Buller by name could be found: not from John Mannion or his campaign, not from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and not from Central New York news coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, none is presented for her either, rather than showing her own campaign's case unanswered.
She has held no elected office; she was chief of staff to Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins until February 2026 and has been registered as a lobbyist. No published criticism framed around that record was found.
She left Central New York after university for work in Washington and returned to run; no published criticism framed around that was found either.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
New York held its primary on June 23, 2026. Democratic incumbent John Mannion, who also carries the Working Families line, faces Republican Kailee Buller, who also carries the Conservative Party line, in this Syracuse and Mohawk Valley district. New York allows fusion voting. The 2026 elections use the congressional map enacted on February 28, 2024. Roster from the New York qualifying lists as reported by Politics1 and Wikipedia. Neither candidate is listed with arguments for or against here: no published criticism of either candidate by name from someone opposing them could be found, and setting out a case against one and not the other would tilt the page.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New York ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New York State Board of Elections.