How much has Pat Ryan, a top fundraiser among Dems in hot races, raised for House bid?

Rep. Pat Ryan added a hefty $1.2 million to his campaign war-chest in the three last months as he readies for a fall race against a Republican who so far has trailed far behind in fundraising.

The Hudson Valley congressman ranks as one of the top fundraisers among the 31 "frontline" House Democrats who represent swing districts and may face tough re-election races. He has now raised $5.2 million in all this term and had a $3.5 million balance in his account as of June 30, according to a preview by his campaign of totals it will formally report on Monday.

GOP challenger Alison Esposito hasn't revealed her numbers yet, but she last reported $345,000 in her coffers on June 6 — a tenth of what Ryan now has. The campaign report she's due to file on Monday will include donations from at least one high-profile event: a fundraiser headlined by House Speaker Mike Johnson in Orange County last month.

Ryan, an Iraq war veteran and former Ulster County executive, won a close race in 2022 for New York's 18th Congressional District seat, which takes in Orange County and parts of Ulster and Dutchess. Esposito, his opponent in this year's race, is a retired New York City police precinct commander who made an unsuccessful run for lieutenant governor in 2022.

Democratic voters outnumber Republicans in the 18th District, and the upcoming race leans in Ryan's favor, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. But Republicans have one hopeful sign: though President Joe Biden won the district by nine points in 2020, voters swung to Republican Lee Zeldin over Gov. Kathy Hochul by two points in the 2022 governor's race.

What are the other swing House districts in NY in 2024?

The 18th District is one of as many as seven in New York that are primed for battle this fall. Five of those seats are held by Republican freshmen. Two belong to Democrats: Ryan and Rep. Tom Suozzi of Long Island, who reclaimed his former seat in Congress after a special election in February to replace ousted Republican George Santos.

Two Democrats trying to unseat Republicans in swing districts next to Ryan's have raised more money than most other House challengers across the country. Former Rep. Mondaire Jones, who's taking on Rep. Mike Lawler in the 17th District, reported $3.6 million in his coffers as of June 5. Josh Riley, who's taking on Rep. Marc Molinaro in the 19th District, had $3.4 million on hand by then.

Ryan one of three battleground Dems to call for Biden to step aside

Ryan is one of three Democratic frontliners to urge President Biden to step aside for another Democratic nominee in recent days. Ryan made his plea on Wednesday, becoming the first prominent New York Democrat to do so since Biden's disastrous debate performance on June 27. Fellow frontliner Angie Craig of Minnesota preceded him on Saturday and Hillary Scholten of Michigan followed on Thursday.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Pat Ryan a top fundraiser among Dems in hot races. What he’s raised