2008Final results
2008 election for New York's 21st District
U.S. House · New York
Paul Tonko (D) won with 62.1% of the vote, defeating James Buhrmaster (R) by 27.1 points.
Paul TonkoDemocrat · winner
62.1%171,286
James BuhrmasterRepublican
35.0%96,599
Phil SteckIndependent
2.9%7,965
275,850 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2008
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Paul TonkoJames Buhrmaster
$748.3K
Raised by the campaign
$504.4K
$753.5K
Spent by the campaign
$504.4K
$2K
Cash on hand
$0
Other candidates' campaigns: Phil Steck $552.6K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2008.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2008