A Republican entrepreneur is gearing up to challenge Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan, who has held office for two terms, in New York’s 18th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley.
Jackie Auringer, a 29-year-old native of Kingston, is entering the race driven by concerns over the exodus of families who find the cost of living increasingly unmanageable in her hometown.
“The evidence is clear—Pat Ryan has let the Hudson Valley down, bowing to party leaders instead of championing the needs of local families,” remarked Auringer, who works as a project manager and accountant in her family’s construction company, Urban Precast.
“Having spent my career in construction,” she shared with The Post, “I’m adept at cutting through the clutter to achieve real outcomes. To transform Congress, we must rethink our choices on who represents us.”
During her time working in her family’s Florida-based business, Auringer launched Palm Beach Conservatives and served as vice president of the Palm Beach Federated Republican Women.
She has built a network of donors and activists across the nation, which she believes will bolster her quest to mount a formidable challenge against Ryan.
Auringer will officially accept the nomination from Republican Party officials on Monday.
Ryan, 44, is an Army vet and West Point graduate who served as Ulster County executive before his election to Congress.
According to the Federal Election Commission, he has $2.5 million in cash in his campaign account.
The 18th Congressional district takes in Orange, Dutchess and parts of Ulster County.
The Cook Political Report’s analysts said Ryan is heavily favored to win, rating the 18th House District as “solid Democrat.”
He handily defeated Republican Alison Esposito, a retired NYPD deputy inspector, in 2024.
