FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 14, 2022
Delaware County Democratic Committee
Contact: Kathleen Hayek
Phone: 347 564 5288
Email: chair@dcnydems.org
Democrats Nominate Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan for Special Election. County Chairs choose proven leader to finish Lt. Governor Delgado’s term in Congress.
Delaware County, NY: On June 9, 2022, Democratic Committee Chairs from across the current 19th Congressional District (CD19) unanimously chose Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan as the Democratic Nominee to run in the August 23rd Special Election to fill the remainder of Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado’s term in Congress, which concludes on December 31, 2022. Under Election Law and Party rules, the task of selecting the nominee in a Special Election is delegated to the County Chairs. The current CD19 includes all of Columbia, Delaware, Greene, Otsego, Sullivan, and Ulster Counties, and parts of Dutchess, Montgomery, Rensselaer, and Schoharie Counties.
Kathleen Hayek, Chair of the Delaware County Democrats states, “Pat was a frontrunner in the CD19 primary elections of 2018, and has maintained relationships established within the district ever since. We consider ourselves fortunate that such a highly qualified, and proven public servant as our friend, Pat Ryan, has decided to run in the Special Election to complete Delgado’s term in the “old” CD19. We will enthusiastically do all we can to get out the Delaware County vote for him.”
“We’ve got plenty of career politicians in Washington; what we need more of are leaders who’ve actually laid it on the line for our country — served in combat, built a business, united people during tough times. Today, I’m proud to be nominated to run in the special election to fill the remainder of Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado’s term,” said Pat Ryan. “Upstate New Yorkers are tough, but we’ve had a hell of a few years. While recovering from the pandemic, we’ve seen gas and grocery prices rise, wages remain stagnant, and a coordinated attack on women’s reproductive rights. I’m running for Congress to bring the type of common-sense solutions needed to move our country forward.”
“Pat Ryan is an incredible leader who always puts his country and community before politics. From serving in Iraq to leading Ulster County during the pandemic, Pat knows that delivering results is what truly matters. I’m honored to support him in the special election,” said Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado.
“With our democracy and basic rights facing unprecedented threats, we need leaders who will put their communities over partisan politics. Time and again, Pat Ryan has shown us that he is that type of leader. From his time at West Point, to serving our country in Iraq, and leading Ulster County through the pandemic, Pat is someone who understands that results matter. I’m honored to support his special election to Congress,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.
“I’ve worked with Pat Ryan for years — he is a dedicated public servant who, after serving our country in Iraq, returned home, started a small business, and led Ulster through the pandemic as county executive. I can think of no better successor to Rep. Antonio Delgado than Pat, and I look forward to working together to win this special election,” said Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, DCCC Chairman.
“As our County Executive, Pat Ryan has proven to be extraordinarily well equipped to lead in a crisis, and he’s exactly the kind of leader we need representing us in Congress right now,” said Kelleigh McKenzie, Chair of the Ulster County Democratic Committee.
“Immediately upon taking office as County Executive, Pat Ryan rolled up his sleeves and implemented a county-level green new deal that showed it was possible to address climate change while growing the economy,” Dutchess County Democratic Chair Julie Shiroishi said. “During the pandemic he demonstrated real leadership and acted quickly to help struggling residents. Pat Ryan is the perfect choice to fill the remainder of Lt. Governor Delago’s term and represent CD-19 in Congress.”
“Pat Ryan is a proven leader,” said Sam Hodge, Chair of the Columbia County Democrats. “In Ulster County, Pat has led an economic renaissance. Under his leadership, Ulster has made historic investments in affordable housing, mental health services and implemented meaningful policies to tackle the opioid epidemic. Simply put, he finds solutions and gets the job done.”
“Pat Ryan is a dedicated public servant who has served his country and his community,” Otsego County Democratic Chair Caitlin Ogden. “As Ulster County Executive, he has made smart investments that have improved services while saving taxpayer dollars. He will do an excellent job building upon the work of Antonio Delgado. Our communities will be fortunate to have him representing us in Congress.”
“Pat Ryan has the experience and character that we need in Congress,” Sullivan County Democratic Chair Anne Hart said. “This devoted and successful public servant is the right choice to represent our communities.”
“Pat Ryan is a proven leader with a track record of success,” Rensselaer County Democratic Chair Michael Monescalchi said. “From his time serving our nation as a combat veteran to holding the line on taxes as Ulster County Executive, Pat Ryan is the exact type of person that our nation needs at this defining moment.”
“Pat Ryan is the leader we need,” said Greene County Democratic Chair, Lori Torgersen. “As a small businessperson, he honed the skills to troubleshoot challenges and obstacles where the buck stops with him. In the military, he demonstrated perseverance, character and courage. And as County Executive, he has improved the lives of his constituents through smart and cost-effective decision making. Pat Ryan possesses the rare combination of skill, integrity and experience we need in Congress.
A fifth-generation Ulster County resident and West Point graduate who served two combat tours in Iraq as an Army intelligence officer, Pat Ryan was first elected to lead Ulster County at a Special Election in April, 2019 and went on to win a landslide victory in the General Election later that year. Prior to serving as County Executive, he founded a small technology company, which he grew to over 150 employees.
Ryan will face Republican Marc Molinaro, Dutchess County Executive, in the CD19 Special Election scheduled for August 23rd. Newly drawn congressional district maps will take effect on January 1, 2023, and Pat Ryan will run to serve in the 2023-24 Congress in the new CD18, which overlaps with the current CD19 and includes part of Ulster and Dutchess Counties, and all of Orange County.