KINGSTON – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan, a West Point graduate, and foreign war veteran, has officially launched his Congressional campaign. The announcement was made on social media on Tuesday.
“I’m launching my campaign for Congress seeking to succeed (Congressman) Antonio Delgado in a special election this August,” Ryan said in his video message.
Delgado was recently tapped to replace disgraced Democratic Lieutenant Governor Brian Benjamin who resigned after being arrested. Delgado is currently representing NY-19 District in Congress and was facing a challenge by Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro, who sought to replace him.
Ryan says he will run in a special August election to fill Delgado’s seat through the end of this year and continue on running for the new 18th District.
“There is a lot on the line right now and I really feel we are in an existential battle for our democracy. So, we need a member of Congress who is going to be in that fight fully and my whole life, that’s what I have been about, fighting to serve this community,” he said.
“There is a lot on the line right now and I really feel we are in an existential battle for our democracy. So, we need a member of Congress who is going to be in that fight fully and my whole life, that’s what I have been about, fighting to serve this community,” he said.
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro immediately responded to Ryan’s announcement with sharp language. “Apparently Democrats in Albany have decided on a date for the special election, and only informed their hand-picked candidate of the date and details of the election.” Molinaro also implied that Ryan had cut a deal with Albany Democrats, saying “My opponent’s announcement that he’s been chosen by Governor Hochul and other Albany insiders via a secretive backroom deal confirms our belief that there will be a special election for the 19th Congressional District.”
If Delgado resigns from Congress before July 1st to become Governor Hochul’s lieutenant, a special election to fill the vacant Congressional seat needs to be held. If Delgado resigns after July 1st, the seat will remain vacant until December 31.
