What to know about the 18th Congressional District race: Ryan vs Esposito
Congressman Pat Ryan is the first West Point graduate to represent the military academy in the House of Representatives. His opponent, Alison Esposito, built a career in law enforcement.
The two face each other in the Nov. 5 general election, vying for New York's 18th Congressional District seat.
Here's what to know about the candidates and what they believe are the top issues in their district.
Pat Ryan (D)
Ryan, an Iraq War veteran, served as Ulster County executive before winning a special election for the 19th Congressional District in 2022. Three months later, he won the race for the redrawn 18th Congressional District.
Issues:
Ryan helped introduce the bipartisan “Lower Grocery Prices Act” and “Stopping Pharma’s Ripoffs and Drug Savings For All Act” to mitigate rising consumer costs. He continues to challenge big corporations such as his actions against Central Hudson for the billing issue that cost customers thousands of dollars.
Ryan wants to re-establish reproductive rights protections by supporting legislation such as “Protecting Reproductive Freedom Act” which protects access to abortion medication and the “Stop Comstock Act,” that would prevent a nationwide abortion ban.
Ryan helped fund law enforcement by supporting the bipartisan “Invest to Protect Act,” and secured funding for town of Poughkeepsie’s Community Policing Unit, Ulster County’s opioid response team and Middletown’s police department.
Alison Esposito (R)
Esposito attended State University of New York at Delhi, City University of New York’s John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the FBI National Academy. She was part of the New York City Police Department for nearly 25 years.
Issues:
Esposito wants to remove the State and Local Tax Deduction (SALT) cap to provide tax relief, lower taxes and "roll back" regulations on small businesses. She plans to make the county’s energy supply independent of foreign entities by “tapping into resources like the Utica and Marcellus Shales."
Esposito believes abortions should be allowed in certain situations, what she describes as "reasonable exceptions." She wants to support women through pregnancies by eliminating taxes on baby items, providing affordable childcare, streamlining adoptions and funding crisis pregnancy centers.
Esposito intends to propose a law enforcement bill of rights to protect officers, keep departments funded and go after hate crimes. She opposes recent changes to criminal justice law such as bail reform and plans to hold the district attorney accountable.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Ryan, Esposito face off in NY 18th Congressional race
