Who's In the Race

Rep. Gregory Meeks (D-NY) faces Republican George Marsh in the November 3 general election in New York's 5th District. The U.S. Supreme Court blocked an order to redraw New York's congressional map, so the existing district lines remain in place for 2026. ​

Meeks has represented the district since 1998, a tenure of at least 28 years, and previously served in the New York State Assembly and as a Queens County assistant district attorney.

Marsh describes himself as a lifelong New Yorker raised in the Astoria Projects, a former employee of New York City's Mayor's Office, a Queens community advocate, and someone who has been in recovery from addiction for more than 35 years.

What They Stand For

Meeks supports protecting access to the Affordable Care Act, Medicare and Medicaid, and he calls health access "a human right, not a privilege."

  • A path to citizenship for Dreamers, people with Temporary Protected Status and farmworkers,
  • Affordable housing and gun control,
  • Comprehensive global action to address climate change; and
  • Expanding small, minority- and women-owned businesses' access to capital and economic opportunity.

Marsh has proposed reintroducing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to modernize roads, bridges and water systems, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Investing in reliable public transit, safer streets and modern transportation,
  • Cutting red tape and expanding access to capital for neighborhood small businesses,
  • Protecting veterans' earned benefits and expanding their access to employment, housing and support services; and
  • Greater federal investment in apprenticeships, vocational training and skilled-trades careers.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Every major handicapper rates this race as safely in Democratic hands. Cook Political Report rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it "Solid Democratic" as of Oct. 2. Kalshi traders gave Democrats, whose nominee is Meeks, a 98.47 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 15.

Meeks won the seat with about 72 percent in 2022 and about 69 percent in 2024, a drop of about 3 percentage points across the two cycles. Statewide, Democrats won 18 of New York's 26 U.S. House seats in 2022 and 19 of 26 in 2024. In the 2024 presidential race, Democrat Kamala Harris carried New York with about 55 percent of the vote.

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