KINGSTON – Congressman Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) announced that he will seek a third term on Sunday as he officially kicked off his campaign for re-election in historic, Uptown Kingston.
Invoking the Spirit of 1777, the year the British burned Kingston to the ground, the West Point graduate and former Ulster County executive, spoke of our revolutionary past and his hope for the future with the mid-term elections exactly 114 days away.
“Our forefathers were up against the most powerful empire on earth,” said Ryan. “They were up against a king who cared more about his own power than the people he was supposed to serve. Sound familiar?”
Governor Hochul, who was a surprise guest at the event, introduced Ryan to a packed house at the Senate Garage and was joined by a group of local and state Democrats that she referred to as “the dream team.”
“I know what my job is. I know what I have to do,” said the Governor. I’m going to work hard for every single person. I’m raising money so I can help fund all our races, the ones that are not as hard, the ones that seem impossible and everything in between. As the leader of this party, I could not be prouder to be here today in support of the one and only Pat Ryan.”
Ryan quoted the Declaration of Independence, drawing a stark connection between its grievances and the current challenges that he says are plaguing our region, the state and the nation.
Ryan highlighted healthcare, lack of affordable housing, threats to Social Security and ICE as some of the most pressing issues that limit every American’s right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
“We know what we’re up against. We know who we’re up against but more importantly, we have to lead with full hearts and chests and love of this country and what we are in for in the next 114 days.”
New York State Attorney General Letitia James fired up the crowd, calling Ryan a true hero and an American patriot.
“He is truly someone we need in Washington D.C.,” said James. New Yorkers don’t care about party affiliation. What they want in office are fighters, people who stand up, people who are not afraid, people who have a spine, people who will not give in or give up and that, my friends, is the essence of Pat Ryan. So, this Attorney General, who believes in the law and recognizes that this administration is tearing at the soul of America, is with Pat Ryan.”
New York State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli cautioned voters not to rest on their laurels.
“Yes, he’s going to win. The polls all say it’s going to be a great Democratic year,” said DiNapoli. “But cast your vote because it’s July, and we still have a long way to go. It’s easy when you have someone as outstanding as Pat Ryan to take for granted that everyone feels the same way. This district is a fight. We cannot win the house of representative back if we don’t re-elect Pat Ryan. It starts right here!”
Ryan told his supporters that the time has come.
“This is it! We are the patriots! We are the next generation of founding mothers and fathers and brothers and sisters, and it’s up to us,” said Ryan.
“Please do more than you ever have. Knock on more doors. Make more phone calls than you ever have. Send more text messages than you ever have. Talk to every single voter that you can. Go out of your way to find them–like their lives, their liberty and their happiness depends on it– because it literally does. When we do that–when we show that righteous fight, we will win.”
One attendee, who preferred to remain anonymous, drove from Poughkeepsie to attend the event with her two children.
“I’m a registered Republican, and I’ve had to face the reality that my party doesn’t seem to care about me or my family anymore,” she said, clutching a Pat Ryan sign. “But I’m excited to be here, and I’m hopeful.”
On November 3, Ryan will face a challenge by Republican businesswoman and Kingston native, Jackie Auringer.
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