KINGSTON – Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) is proposing a “Positive Campaign Pledge” in his race against Jackie Auringer (R,C, Kingston).
Ryan proposed five guidelines for all candidates to follow to ensure what he called a good-faith, issue-based campaign. The pledge will only take effect if both candidates agree to it.
“The people of the Hudson Valley deserve a campaign that’s about them, not petty politics – that’s the kind of good-faith campaign this pledge ensures,” Ryan said. “I’m proud to be in this fight with our exceptional community – together, we are building the more affordable, safe, and free Hudson Valley that our kids deserve to grow up in.”
Ryan hatched the idea days before Auringer called him out on Wednesday for leading what she described as a “political crusade” against Optum Health while his wife works as a senior federal policy official for a hospital association whose members directly compete with Optum’s provider model.
Auringer said that she would review Ryan’s “Positive Campaign Pledge” and make amendments before returning it to her opponent.
“Pat Ryan wants a pledge, and we will be countering with a real one,” Auringer said. “It starts with a simple rule: don’t sue your opponent off the ballot. If you try to lose, you pay the bill. Let the voters decide.”
The campaign pledge includes stipulations that candidates will run a positive campaign, agree to three debates or forums before Election Day, and not utilize artificial intelligence to create deceptive images, audio, or video of their opponent, and accept corporate or PAC money, while committing to using union labor for campaign events and operations, and ensuring all printed and produced materials are union-made.
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