KINGSTON – Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) on Tuesday accused his opponent in November’s election, Republican Jackie Auringer, of refusing to sign his “Positive Campaign Pledge.”
A spokesperson for Auringer responded by telling Ryan to sit tight. The Auringer campaign plans on sending the pledge back to the incumbent with some amendments on Wednesday. Ryan proposed five guidelines for all candidates to follow to ensure what he called a good-faith, issue-based campaign.
The pledge will take effect only if both candidates agree to it. Ryan had set a deadline for Tuesday.
“The people of the Hudson Valley deserve a campaign that’s about them, not petty politics – that’s the kind of good-faith campaign my pledge would ensure,” Ryan said. “I’m proud to work tirelessly every day to deliver real, tangible results for this community – and I’m just getting started. Even though my opponent refuses to agree to a positive campaign, I’ll keep running on the issues, my record, and delivering for the Hudson Valley.”
Dave Catalfamo, a spokesman for Auringer, said “it is sad and unfortunate that Pat Ryan is taking part in the exact behavior that his pledge is designed to avoid.”
“It is ludicrous,” Catalfamo said. “We never said no, and we will have a response tomorrow. We are open to it.”
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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