Special election: What Marc Molinaro, Pat Ryan have said in 19th race; what to know

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After Aug. 23, one Mid Hudson county will have a new county executive.

The question is, which side of the river will lose its top official to Congress.

Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro will face Democrat Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan in a special election to fill the vacant 19th Congressional District seat.

Voters during the early voting period and on Aug. 23 will decide which executive they want to fill the seat formerly held by Rhinebeck Democrat Antonio Delgado, who decided to become Gov. Kathy Hochul’s lieutenant governor. The winner will serve in Congress through the end of Delgado’s term, which expires at the end of the year.

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The county executives conveyed a congenial relationship prior to the campaign, including working together on local COVID response measures at the outset of the pandemic.

That’s since changed, with the candidates trading barbs in interviews and on social media; Molinaro and his campaign have accused Ryan of “lusting for power,” saying he will “rubber stamp” Democrat plans in Washington; Ryan has called Molinaro a “career politician” who lacks “backbone.”

Both have other elections to worry about, as well.

Molinaro in November will run in the general election to represent the 19th district for a full two-year term. Ryan hopes to do the same − but in the 18th district. To earn that right, Ryan will need to be favored in a primary against two other Democrats, which is on a separate ballot also to be decided Aug. 23.

Redistricting adds another layer of intrigue: While Molinaro and Ryan are running to represent the current 19th district − which includes all of Ulster, Columbia, Sullivan Delaware, Greene, Otsego, and Schoharie counties and plus parts of Broome, Dutchess, Montgomery and Rensselaer counties − the districts will have new borders for the general election.

The new 19th begins at the Dutchess/Columbia border, meaning Molinaro would no longer represent his native county. The district will include Columbia, Sullivan, Broome, Tioga, Tompkins, Cortland, Chenango, Delaware and Greene counties, as well as portions of Otsego and Ulster counties.

In addition to boundaries, the districts have demographic differences. According to Board of Elections statistics, there were roughly 39,500 more registered Democrats than Republicans and Conservatives in the current 19th district as of February, but roughly more than 18,000 more Democrats than Republicans and Conservatives in the new 19th as of June.

The new 18th includes all of Orange County, part of Ulster and most of Dutchess; East Fishkill and Pawling and part of Beekman in Dutchess are in the 17th.

Only residents in the current 19th district can vote in the special election, and only those in the newly drawn districts can vote in their respective party’s primary elections.

Here’s what to know:

Who are the candidates?

Molinaro has been Dutchess’ executive since 2012, after serving in the state Assembly. He was first elected to public office at 18 and became mayor of Tivoli at 19. In 2018 he launched a failed gubernatorial bid, losing to Andrew Cuomo but winning much of upstate.

The Red Hook Republican announced his congressional candidacy last year with the expectation of running against Delgado, and before the lines were redrawn excluding Dutchess. But, he announced his intentions to remain a candidate for the 19th seat immediately after the new map was finalized.

Ryan was first elected Ulster’s executive in a May 2019 special election and won a full term in November 2019. He replaced Ulster’s first county executive, Mike Hein.

Ryan is a U.S. Army veteran who served two combat tours in Iraq after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He went on to found a technology company before seeking elected office. The Gardiner Democrat lost a primary to Delgado in 2018.

What are the campaign issues?

Molinaro has campaigned in recent weeks on the faltering economy and public safety.

Ryan has likewise discussed economic solutions, but has also focused on personal freedoms, namely abortion rights. He’s often framed issues through the lens of his military background.

Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan
Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan

“I took an oath to support and defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Ryan wrote on his campaign website. “I always perceived the greatest threat to be foreign, but it is clear with right-wing attacks on our democracy, women’s healthcare, and our ability to keep guns off our streets, we must stand up to domestic extremists.”

Economy

Molinaro has put a spotlight on rising costs and what has been historic inflation through frequent tweets and email blasts, assigning blame often to not just President Joe Biden and/or Gov. Kathy Hochul, but also Ryan, who has no current position in the national or statewide government.

The Republican has pointed to Dutchess’ economic standing and tax cuts afforded to residents in this year’s budget as proof of his fiscal acumen.

“As a responsible steward of local tax dollars, I invest in programs that provide a high rate of return, and making government efficiency a priority,” Molinaro wrote as an introduction to his plan for reducing inflation posted on his campaign website. “I will take this same mentality to Washington and fight to reduce the burden on the people of upstate.”

In addition to general government overspending concerns, Molinaro in recent weeks has placed an emphasis on the health of upstate farming industry, vocally opposing the overtime threshold for farm workers being potentially lowered to 40 hours.

Inflation has likewise been a topic of Ryan’s campaign, though his focus has been on holding corporations accountable and increasing benefits, rather than outright blaming the Biden Administration. He’s also pointed a finger at the actions of former President Donald Trump’s Administration.

Ryan, too, has used Ulster’s economic actions to support his case, noting he has not raised property taxes.

Ryan applauded the recent Inflation Reduction Act’s lowering of healthcare costs and increasing corporate tax rates. “Ensuring big corporations and the wealthy pay their fair share is common sense,” he tweeted.

Molinaro attacked its $739 billion price tag and asserted it would not lower inflation. “High inflation is a natural result of excessive deficit spending and printing money,” he tweeted. “And, Congress’ dysfunctional answer? Spend money and raise taxes.”

Public safety

Molinaro has held events throughout the district, often alongside law enforcement leaders, in which he's called for changes to New York’s cashless bail rules. He’s claimed the policy has made New York “more dangerous,” and called corrective changes instituted since bail reform began in Jan. 1, 2020 a “series of extremely modest adjustments” that only address “the most egregious and obvious failures in New York.”

Ryan has acknowledged bail reform should continue to be tweaked, a position he says is in agreement with Hochul. His public safety push, though, has focused on removing “weapons of war off our streets.” Molinaro has often said he is a supporter of the Second Amendment.

Recent statistics from the state Division of Criminal Justice Services show crime has dipped in the last two years in the Hudson Valley, while it has increased in New York City, Long Island and some upstate cities. The direct impact of bail reform on crime has largely been statistically inconclusive.

Molinaro called the local crime totals “propaganda and disingenuous,” suggesting Hudson Valley crime tallies had fallen because fewer victims were reporting crimes as a result of state policies, which he said had "demoralized and defunded our police, disarmed our DA's, and disincentivized law enforcement."

Women’s rights

While Molinaro has been vociferous on a variety of other campaign points on social media, he drew criticism in late June for not posting his reaction when, on consecutive days, the Supreme Court released opinions striking down New York’s law requiring “proper cause” to carry a handgun, and overturning the constitutional right to an abortion.

Molinaro issued a statement to the Journal calling abortion “an extremely sensitive issue,” but did not opine on the Supreme Court decision or post the statement on his social media. “While I have always personally believed in the sanctity of life, and remain opposed to late term abortion, this decision doesn’t change New York’s settled law,” he said. He’s since stated he would not support any sort of national abortion law as he doesn’t believe congress has the power to act under the court’s ruling.

Conversely, Ryan launched a campaign ad moments after the abortion decision, highlighting his platform promising to protect pro-choice rights. He’s since painted subsequent elections across the country as an opportunity for residents to weigh-in on the court’s decision, and applauded Kansas voters for recently choosing to maintain abortion rights.

In his own tweets and campaign stops, including at pro-choice rallies, Ryan has asserted a Republican-majority Congress would institute a federal abortion ban. His campaign has used the phrase “choice is on the ballot” in signs and other material.

What happens after the election?

The winner of the special election will join Congress, at least for the remainder of Delgado's term through the end of the year. The other returns to their post leading their county, at least until winning Congressional office in the November’s general election.

The terms for both county executives run through the end of 2023.

If Molinaro wins, either this month or in November, Deputy County Executive William F.X. O'Neil would stand to complete Molinaro’s term, in accordance with the county charter. The deadline has passed for holding a prospective special election for the office.

That’s not the case in Ulster. While a designated successor – Deputy County Executive Johanna Contreras – would assume the county executive’s office if Ryan leaves, it would only be for until a special election is held and a winner is certified. The special election would “be held no later than 90 days from the date” Ryan leaves office, and the electee “shall serve for the balance of the unexpired term commencing 30 days from the date of the certification by the Board of Elections,” according to the Ulster County Charter.

When can you vote?

Polls will be open Aug. 23 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at designated polling places. For a the Election Day polling place for your address, visit voterlookup.elections.ny.gov.

Before that, though, early voting locations are open Aug. 13-21, and voters can visit any one they choose within their county.

Dutchess early voting locations:

  • Mid-Hudson Library auditorium, 105 Market St., Poughkeepsie

  • East Fishkill Community Library, 348 Route 376, Hopewell Junction

  • Cornell Cooperative Center, 2715 Route 44, Millbrook

  • Boardman Road Library, 141 Boardman Road, Poughkeepsie

  • Fishkill Town Hall, 807 Route 52, Fishkill

  • Rhinebeck Town Hall, 80 E. Market St., Rhinebeck

  • Roosevelt Engine Company No. 3, 830 Violet Ave., Hyde Park

Ulster early voting locations:

  • New Paltz Community Center, 3 Veterans Dr., New Paltz

  • Marlborough Town Hall, 21 Milton Turnpike, Milton

  • Saugerties Senior Center, 207 Market St., Saugerties

  • Kingston High School, 403 Broadway, Kingston

  • Ellenville Public Library, 40 Center St., Ellenville

  • American Legion building, 26-28 Mountain Road, Shokan

Early voting schedule:

  • Saturday, Aug. 13: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Aug. 14: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Monday, Aug. 15: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Tuesday, Aug. 16: Noon to 8 p.m.

  • Wednesday, Aug. 17: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Thursday, Aug. 18: Noon to 8 p.m.

  • Friday, Aug. 19: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

  • Saturday, Aug. 20: 9 am. to 5 p.m.

  • Sunday, Aug. 21: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Note: The early voting location in Milton closes at 3 p.m. Aug. 17.

This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Special 19th Congressional election: What Molinaro, Ryan have said