Pat Ryan (politician)

From the battlefields of Iraq to the halls of Congress, Pat Ryan's journey is a compelling testament to a life dedicated to public service. A former Army intelligence officer, he transitioned from defending his country abroad to fighting for his constituents at home, quickly making a name for himself in New York's political landscape. His story reveals a politician unafraid to tackle challenging issues and represent the unique needs of the Hudson Valley. Pat Ryan is a decorated Army veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq before entering the world of business and politics. His political career surged with an upset special election victory in 2022, largely attributed to his strong stance on abortion rights following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. As a U.S. Representative, Ryan has prioritized veteran support, local economic development, and environmental protection, while also advocating on significant national issues.

Source: Wikipedia

AI Summary

From the battlefields of Iraq to the halls of Congress, Pat Ryan's journey is a compelling testament to a life dedicated to public service. A former Army intelligence officer, he transitioned from defending his country abroad to fighting for his constituents at home, quickly making a name for himself in New York's political landscape. His story reveals a politician unafraid to tackle challenging issues and represent the unique needs of the Hudson Valley.

From Combat to Capitol Hill

Currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 18th congressional district, Pat Ryan's path to Washington D.C. has been anything but conventional. He's a true son of New York, born and raised right in Kingston, where he grew up learning the values of hard work and community from his public school teacher mother and small business owner father.

A Foundation in Service

After graduating from Kingston High School in 2000, Ryan pursued a Bachelor of Science in international politics from the prestigious United States Military Academy at West Point. This rigorous education not only shaped his understanding of global affairs but also instilled a profound sense of duty that would define his future.

His commitment to service led him directly into the U.S. Army, where he served as a military intelligence officer from 2004 to 2009. During this time, he completed two demanding combat tours in Iraq, including a critical deployment to Mosul during the height of the insurgency in 2008.

Ryan's bravery and dedication were recognized with multiple commendations, including the rank of Captain and two Bronze Star Medals. These experiences provided him with a unique perspective on leadership, strategy, and the real-world impact of policy decisions.

Transition to Tech and Public Administration

After his military service, Ryan ventured into the technology sector, working with companies like Berico Technologies and co-founding Praescient Analytics, a software firm. He later held a senior vice president role at Dataminr, an artificial intelligence platform, demonstrating his adaptability and entrepreneurial spirit.

His desire to serve his local community eventually drew him back to the Hudson Valley. In 2019, following a vacancy, Ryan successfully ran for Ulster County Executive, becoming only the second person to hold the position since the county adopted its charter in 2008.

As County Executive, Ryan implemented innovative programs that reflected his progressive vision, including a universal basic income pilot program that provided 100 families with $500 per month. He also championed environmental initiatives, committing the county government to a full transition to renewable energy by 2030.

An Unexpected Path to Congress

Ryan had first sought a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018, narrowly missing the Democratic primary nomination. However, his opportunity to serve in Congress would arrive under unforeseen circumstances.

In 2022, a special election was called for New York's 19th congressional district. Ryan, then Ulster County Executive, secured the Democratic nomination and launched a campaign against a challenging political backdrop, with national polls suggesting a difficult environment for Democrats.

Despite trailing in all pre-election polls, Ryan achieved an unexpected upset victory. Political observers largely credited his strong, unambiguous campaign in defense of abortion rights — a pivotal issue following the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade — for mobilizing college-educated voters and women in the district.

This victory, though for a short term in the 19th district, immediately established him as a rising star. Shortly after, Ryan also successfully ran for and won the general election for the newly redrawn 18th congressional district, beginning his full term in January 2023.

Legislative Priorities and Impact

Sworn into Congress in September 2022, Ryan quickly made an impact. Just two weeks into his tenure, his first bill, the 'Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act,' passed the House with bipartisan support. This crucial legislation addressed a significant gap in VA loan eligibility for certain National Guard and Reserve members.

As a veteran, Ryan has been a vocal advocate for military families and veterans' issues. He was appointed to the powerful House Committee on Armed Services, a role that allows him to directly influence national defense policy and ensure support for those who serve.

Closer to home, Ryan played a pivotal role in coordinating federal aid and recovery efforts following catastrophic flooding in the Hudson Valley in July 2023. His proactive engagement helped secure vital resources for affected communities, including the heavily damaged West Point.

Beyond specific bills, Ryan has taken clear stances on key policy debates. He has been a staunch opponent of New York City's congestion pricing plan, arguing it would unfairly burden his constituents in the Hudson Valley.

His committee assignments reflect his diverse interests and expertise, from cyber technology and intelligence in the Armed Services Committee to infrastructure, railroads, and water resources on the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

His roles here allow him to shape policy on everything from cybersecurity to ensuring safe transportation and protecting critical water resources.

Committee on Armed Services Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee Water Resources and Environment

Ryan is also actively involved in several Congressional caucuses, co-chairing the Defense Modernization Caucus and the Monopoly Busters Caucus, which he co-founded. He also serves as Vice Chair of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force, underscoring his commitment to a range of national issues.

A Family Man with Local Roots

Pat Ryan continues to reside in his hometown of Kingston, New York, with his wife, Rebecca, and their two children. His roots run deep in the community, with his grandfather having served on the Kingston City Council, highlighting a family legacy of civic engagement.

Article

Pat Ryan (politician)

Patrick Kevin Ryan (born March 28, 1982) is an American businessman, politician, and former U.S. Army intelligence officer serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 18th congressional district since 2023. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the representative for New York's 19th congressional district from 2022 to 2023 after being elected in a special election. Before being elected to the House, he was the county executive of Ulster County, New York.

Early life and career

Pat Ryan (politician)

Ryan was born and raised in Kingston, New York. His mother was a public school teacher and his father owned a small business. He graduated from Kingston High School in 2000. He then earned a Bachelor of Science in international politics from the United States Military Academy in 2004 and a Master of Arts in security studies from Georgetown University. Two of his West Point classmates are fellow Congressmen John James and Wesley Hunt.

Ryan served in the U.S. Army as a military intelligence officer from 2004 to 2009. He completed two combat tours in Iraq, including a deployment to Mosul in 2008 during the height of the insurgency. He attained the rank of captain and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals.

From 2009 to 2011, he worked as the deputy director of Berico Technologies, as a subcontractor for Palantir Technologies in Afghanistan. He co-founded Praescient Analytics, a software company, in 2011. From 2015 to 2017, he was a senior vice president of Dataminr, an artificial intelligence platform. In 2018 and 2019, Ryan was a senior adviser at New Politics.

Ulster County executive (2019–2022)

Pat Ryan (politician)

In February 2019, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein resigned to take a position in New York Governor Andrew Cuomo's administration. On April 30, Ryan defeated Republican nominee Jack Hayes in the special election to succeed Hein; he took office on June 7, 2019. He became the second executive of Ulster County since it adopted a county charter in 2008. In November 2019, he defeated Hayes in a rematch to win a full four-year term as county executive.

As county executive, Ryan piloted a universal basic income program, wherein 100 families in the county received $500 per month. He also enacted several environmental protections in Ulster County, committing to fully transition the operations of the county government to renewable energy by 2030 and partnering with SUNY Ulster to promote green energy jobs.

On January 14, 2020, Ryan endorsed Pete Buttigieg in the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries. In a statement, Ryan cited Buttigieg's military service, his "bold progressive vision," and his "moral leadership" as his reasons for support.

On September 9, 2022, Ryan stepped down as Ulster County executive. The deputy county executive, Johanna Contreras, was sworn in as acting county executive that day.

U.S. House of Representatives (2022–present)

2018

Ryan first ran for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2018. In the Democratic primary in New York's 19th congressional district, he received 18% of the vote to Antonio Delgado's 22%. Delgado defeated incumbent Republican representative John Faso in the general election.

2022 special

Ryan at his swearing into the 117th Congress, 2022

After Delgado resigned from Congress on May 25, 2022, to become lieutenant governor of New York, Ryan announced that he would run in the special election to succeed Delgado. Ryan was chosen as the Democratic nominee on June 9 at a meeting of Democratic county party chairs.

In the August 23 special election, Ryan faced the Republican nominee and Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. Ryan narrowly defeated Molinaro by 2,858 votes, 51.1%–48.8%, which was considered an upset, having trailed Molinaro in polls leading up to the election. He outperformed Biden's (/wiki/2020UnitedStatespresidentialelectioninNewYork) margin in the district by 0.8%. In explaining his victory, political observers noted that Ryan campaigned strongly in favor of protecting abortion rights in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade. His victory was attributed to college-educated voters', particularly women's, support for abortion rights.

Molinaro and Ryan both ran for Congress again in the general elections in November 2022 for the newly redrawn 19th and 18th districts, respectively. Each won in his respective district.

2022

In November 2022, Ryan contested the state's 18th district, which was changed from its previous configuration after redistricting. On the same day as his special election victory in the 19th district, Ryan won the Democratic nomination for the regular election in the 18th district. He defeated Republican nominee Colin Schmitt in the general election.

Tenure

Ryan being given an aerial tour of West Point, New York, after the July 2023 Northeastern United States floods

Ryan was sworn into office on September 13, 2022, as the U.S. representative for New York’s 19th congressional district. During the 118th Congress, he was appointed to the House Committee on Armed Services. Two weeks into office, Ryan's first bill, the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, passed the House with bipartisan support. The bill addressed a gap in VA loan eligibility for certain National Guard and Reserve members.

In February 2023, Ryan was among twelve Democrats to vote for a resolution to end COVID-19 national emergency. In July, following catastrophic flooding in his district in New York’s Hudson Valley, he assisted in local recovery efforts and coordinated with federal agencies to secure aid for affected communities, including West Point, which sustained severe damage.

Ryan is a staunch opponent of congestion pricing in the most congested parts of Manhattan.

On July 10, 2024, Ryan called for Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 United States presidential election.

Committee assignments

Ryan's committee assignments for the 119th Congress include:

• Committee on Armed Services • Subcommittee on Cyber, Information Technologies, and Innovation • Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations • Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit • Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials • Subcommittee Water Resources and Environment

Caucus memberships

Ryan's caucus memberships include:

• New Democrat Coalition • Defense Modernization Caucus (co-chair) • Monopoly Busters Caucus (co-chair and co-founder) • Gun Violence Prevention Task Force (vice chair) • Congressional Equality Caucus

Personal life

Pat Ryan (politician)

Ryan with his wife and two children

Ryan lives in Kingston with his wife, Rebecca Ryan (née Grusky). They married in 2015 and have two children. He was previously married. His grandfather served on the Kingston City Council. He is Catholic.

Electoral history

Pat Ryan (politician)

<table><thead><tr><th>Party</th><th>Candidate</th><th>Votes</th><th>%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Antonio Delgado</td><td>8,576</td><td>22.10%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>6,941</td><td>17.89%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Gareth Rhodes</td><td>6,890</td><td>17.75%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Brian Flynn</td><td>5,245</td><td>13.52%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Jeff Beals</td><td>4,991</td><td>12.86%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Dave Clegg</td><td>4,257</td><td>10.97%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Erin Collier</td><td>1,908</td><td>4.92%</td></tr><tr><td>Total votes</td><td>38,808</td><td>100.00%</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Party</th><th>Candidate</th><th>Votes</th><th>%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>11,814</td><td>67.73%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Independence</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>1,006</td><td>5.77%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>12,820</td><td>73.50%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Republican</td><td>Jack Hayes</td><td>3,366</td><td>19.30%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td>Jack Hayes</td><td>1,194</td><td>6.85%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Jack Hayes</td><td>4,560</td><td>26.14%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Write-in</td><td>63</td><td>0.36%</td></tr><tr><td>Total votes</td><td>17,443</td><td>100.00%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic hold</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Party</th><th>Candidate</th><th>Votes</th><th>%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>27,017</td><td>52.58%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Working Families</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>3,401</td><td>6.62%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Independence</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>1,960</td><td>3.81%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>32,378</td><td>63.01%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Republican</td><td>Jack Hayes</td><td>15,700</td><td>30.55%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td>Jack Hayes</td><td>3,262</td><td>6.35%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Jack Hayes</td><td>18,962</td><td>36.90%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Write-in</td><td>44</td><td>0.09%</td></tr><tr><td>Total votes</td><td>53,630</td><td>100.00%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic hold</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Party</th><th>Candidate</th><th>Votes</th><th>%</th><th>±%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>58,636</td><td>45.39%</td><td>–2.61</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Working Families</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>7,452</td><td>5.77%</td><td>–0.78</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>66,088</td><td>51.15%</td><td>–3.64</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Republican</td><td>Marc Molinaro</td><td>52,514</td><td>40.65%</td><td>–2.55</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td>Marc Molinaro</td><td>10,496</td><td>8.12%</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Marc Molinaro</td><td>63,010</td><td>48.77%</td><td>+5.57</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Write-in</td><td>96</td><td>0.07%</td><td>N/A</td></tr><tr><td>Total votes</td><td>129,194</td><td>100.00%</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Turnout</td><td>129,328</td><td>27.16%</td><td></td></tr><tr><td>Registered electors</td><td>476,134</td><td></td><td></td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic hold</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Party</th><th>Candidate</th><th>Votes</th><th>%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>29,400</td><td>83.8%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Aisha Mills</td><td>4,603</td><td>13.1%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Moses Mugulusi</td><td>966</td><td>2.8%</td></tr><tr><td>Total votes</td><td>34,969</td><td>100%</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Party</th><th>Candidate</th><th>Votes</th><th>%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>123,168</td><td>46.15%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Working Families</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>12,077</td><td>4.52%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Pat Ryan (incumbent)</td><td>135,245</td><td>50.67%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Republican</td><td>Colin Schmitt</td><td>116,972</td><td>43.83%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td>Colin Schmitt</td><td>14,681</td><td>5.50%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Colin Schmitt</td><td>131,653</td><td>49.33%</td></tr><tr><td>Total votes</td><td>266,898</td><td>100%</td></tr></tbody></table>

<table><thead><tr><th>Party</th><th>Candidate</th><th>Votes</th><th>%</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Democratic</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>189,345</td><td>52.27%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Working Families</td><td>Pat Ryan</td><td>17,761</td><td>4.90%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Pat Ryan (incumbent)</td><td>207,106</td><td>57.17%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Republican</td><td>Alison Esposito</td><td>138,409</td><td>38.21%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Conservative</td><td>Alison Esposito</td><td>16,720</td><td>4.62%</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Total</td><td>Alison Esposito</td><td>155,129</td><td>42.83%</td></tr><tr><td>Total votes</td><td>362,235</td><td>100%</td></tr></tbody></table>