Ralph
F. Ambrosio
Ralph F. Ambrosio, Republican challenger for New York's 20th Congressional District in 2026
- sources
- 11
- positions
- 8
- endorsements
- 2
Background
Ralph F. Ambrosio is the Republican challenger for New York's 20th Congressional District in the November 2026 general election, running against incumbent Democrat Paul Tonko. 2411 He was born in Hudson, New York, raised in Chatham, and has lived in Delmar since 1985. 13
Ambrosio served in the U.S. Navy from 1970 to 1976, then joined the New York State Police, where he worked from 1977 to 1989. He subsequently served as an assistant district attorney in Greene and Columbia Counties (1989–1996), worked as a public defender and assistant attorney general, and returned to the State Police as assistant counsel from 1999 until his retirement in 2010. 13 He then entered private practice as a trial attorney. 1321
He holds a bachelor's degree from Clarkson University (1976), a J.D. from Western New England University (1984), and an associate's degree from Hudson Valley Community College (1974). 1 In 2024, he ran unsuccessfully for Albany County district attorney, losing the general election to Democrat Lee Kindlon. 1418
At a glance
- Party
- Republican
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 20, New York
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- Semi-Retired Trial Attorney
- Website
- ambrosioforcongress.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 12newsFEC fundraising figures show Ambrosio raised $29,026 through June 30, far behind Tonko
FEC filings through June 30 show Ambrosio raised $29,026, spent $20,907, and had $8,119 cash on hand—compared to incumbent Paul Tonko's $957,587 raised and $404,327 cash on hand over the same period.
New York's 20th District Race 2026: Who's Running (NY-20) · Oct 3, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 6debateCBS6 schedules second Tonko–Ambrosio debate for October 21
CBS6 reported it would air a debate between Paul Tonko and Ralph Ambrosio on October 21 at 5:30 p.m., representing a second scheduled face-off in the NY-20 race.
Anthony Constantino discusses tariffs, energy and Iran ... · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 23newsAmbrosio's Adirondack questionnaire responses published by New York Almanack
Protect the Adirondacks sent congressional candidates a questionnaire in early August on climate change and Adirondack Park issues. The New York Almanack reported on September 23 that Ambrosio was among the candidates who responded; answers were published as written, without editing or ranking.
Candidates Largely Ignore Adirondack Issues Survey · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 20debateUpstate Debate Consortium schedules October 15 Tonko–Ambrosio debate at WMHT
The Times Union reported that the Upstate Debate Consortium—comprising the Times Union, WAMC, WMHT, and WNYT—scheduled a one-hour debate between incumbent Paul Tonko and Ambrosio at WMHT's Troy studios for October 15 at 7 p.m., with questions from the public.
Dearth of debates in some upstate House races might be a sign of the times · Sep 20, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 18newsVoter guide describes Ambrosio's policy priorities for NY-20 race
A local voter guide published September 18 described Ambrosio's stated priorities as the cost of living, public safety and the border, quality of life and natural resources, government accountability, and 'challenging the establishment.'
Your November 3 ballot: who is running, what they stand for, and ... · Sep 18, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 4filingAmbrosio certified on Republican and Conservative ballot lines for NY-20 general election
New York's amended certification for the November 3 general election, dated September 4, lists Ralph F. Ambrosio on both the Republican and Conservative ballot lines under the state's fusion voting system.
12148 Sample Ballot: Saratoga County, NY 2026 | The Ballot Brief · Sep 22, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Conservative Party of New York organizationAmbrosio is listed as the Conservative Party candidate for NY-20, indicating a party nomination/line. No separate explicit endorsement date is given. ivoterguide.com
- Ed Cox, Chair of the New York Republican State Committee officialCox stated, "I am proud to endorse Ralph Ambrosio for Congress in New York's 20th District." This is Cox's personal endorsement; the source does not indicate a formal endorsement by the full state committee. nygop.org · May 20, 2026
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $29K
- Spent
- $21K
- Cash on hand
- $8,119
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H6NY20225(opens in a new tab)
Sources 11
- [1] Anthony Constantino discusses tariffs, energy and Iran ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
- [2] New York's 20th District Race 2026: Who's Running (NY-20)(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [3] On the Issues - ambrosioforcongress.com(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [4] Ralph F. Ambrosio - iVoterGuide(opens in a new tab) Sep 27, 2026
- [5] Candidates Largely Ignore Adirondack Issues Survey(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
- [6] 12148 Sample Ballot: Saratoga County, NY 2026 | The Ballot Brief(opens in a new tab) Sep 22, 2026
- [7] Dearth of debates in some upstate House races might be a sign of the times(opens in a new tab) Sep 20, 2026
- [8] Your November 3 ballot: who is running, what they stand for, and ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 18, 2026
- [9] Federal and State candidates answer questions on ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 9, 2026
- [10] NYGOP Chair Ed Cox Endorses Ralph Ambrosio in NY-20(opens in a new tab) May 20, 2026
- [11] Albany Republicans decry county legislature ICE resolution - WAMC(opens in a new tab) Feb 6, 2026