ELECTION 2022
GHENT – Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan (D) prevailed over Dutchess County Executive Marcus Molinaro (R) in Tuesday’s Special Election to complete the term of former Congressman Antonio Delgado in the old 19th Congressional District (CD). Old and new designations are due to re-districting of congressional boundaries.
Mr. Ryan beat Mr. Molinaro by a 3.8% margin, 51.9% to 48.1%. Mr. Ryan carried Columbia County with 9026 votes compared to 6704 votes for Mr. Molinaro.
In the Democratic Primary for the new 19th CD, Josh Riley topped Jamie Cheney 63.5% to 36.5% district wide. Mr. Riley carried Columbia County with 4385 votes to Cheney’s 3317 votes.
Mr. Riley faces Mr. Molinaro, who gets a second chance at a congressional run, in the new 19th CD in the November’s General Election for a full 2-year term. Mr. Ryan will seek a full 2-year term in the new 18th CD in the General Election.
In his victory statement, released on Twitter, Mr. Ryan wrote, “Choice was on the ballot. Freedom was on the ballot, and tonight choice and freedom won. We voted like our democracy was on the line because it is. We upended everything we thought we knew about politics and did it together.”
The Hudson Valley District was considered a “bell weather” election by national pundits with Mr. Ryan emphasizing a woman’s right to choose and Republican extremism, while Mr. Molinaro emphasized inflation and crime.
