Patrick Ryan

Patrick Ryan is an American politician and businessman currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 18th congressional district. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been in office since 2022, following a special election to fill the vacancy left by Antonio Delgado. Prior to his congressional career, Ryan held various roles, including serving as the county executive of Ulster County, New York, and as a military intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. His legislative focus includes issues related to national security, environmental protection, and social justice.

Early life and career

Patrick Ryan was born on March 28, 1982, in Kingston, New York. He was raised in a family that valued education and entrepreneurship; his mother worked as a public school teacher, while his father owned a small business. Ryan completed his secondary education at Kingston High School, graduating in 2000. He pursued higher education at the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in international politics in 2004. Following his undergraduate studies, Ryan furthered his education with a Master of Arts in security studies from Georgetown University.

Ryan's military career began when he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army after graduating from West Point. He served as a military intelligence officer from 2004 to 2009, during which he completed two combat tours in Iraq. His service included a deployment to Mosul in 2008, a period marked by significant conflict and insurgency. Throughout his military career, Ryan achieved the rank of captain and received multiple commendations, including two Bronze Star Medals and an Army Commendation Medal.

After leaving active duty, Ryan transitioned to the private sector. From 2009 to 2011, he worked as the deputy director of Berico Technologies, a subcontractor for Palantir Technologies, where he was involved in operations in Afghanistan. In 2011, he co-founded Praescient Analytics, a software company that focuses on data analysis and intelligence. Ryan later served as a senior vice president at Dataminr, an artificial intelligence platform, from 2015 to 2017. He also held a position as a senior adviser at New Politics, an organization aimed at supporting candidates with military backgrounds.

House tenure

Ryan's entry into politics began with his election as the Ulster County executive in 2019. He succeeded Mike Hein, who resigned to join the administration of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo. Ryan won a special election on April 30, 2019, and took office on June 7 of that year. He became the second executive of Ulster County since the adoption of its county charter in 2008. In November 2019, he secured a full four-year term as county executive, defeating his Republican opponent in a rematch.

During his tenure as county executive, Ryan implemented several initiatives, including a universal basic income program that provided financial support to families in need. He also focused on environmental sustainability, committing the county government to transition to renewable energy by 2030 and collaborating with local educational institutions to promote green energy jobs. His political activities included endorsing Pete Buttigieg during the 2020 Democratic presidential primaries, citing Buttigieg's military service and progressive vision.

In September 2022, Ryan stepped down from his role as county executive to pursue a congressional seat. Following the resignation of Antonio Delgado, who became lieutenant governor of New York, Ryan announced his candidacy for the special election to fill Delgado's vacancy in the 19th congressional district. He was selected as the Democratic nominee and won the special election on August 23, 2022, defeating Republican candidate Marc Molinaro by a narrow margin. Ryan's campaign emphasized the importance of protecting abortion rights, which resonated with voters in the wake of significant national discussions surrounding reproductive rights.

After his special election victory, Ryan also contested the general election for the newly redrawn 18th congressional district in November 2022, where he successfully defeated Republican nominee Colin Schmitt. He was sworn into office on September 13, 2022, marking the beginning of his congressional career.

Legislative focus and committees

Since taking office, Ryan has been active in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he serves on the House Committee on Armed Services. His legislative efforts have included introducing bills aimed at addressing gaps in veterans' benefits, such as the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, which passed with bipartisan support shortly after he assumed office. This legislation aimed to improve access to VA loan eligibility for certain National Guard and Reserve members.

Ryan has also been involved in responding to local crises, such as the catastrophic flooding that affected communities in New York's Hudson Valley in July 2023. He coordinated recovery efforts and worked with federal agencies to secure assistance for the impacted areas, including West Point, which experienced significant damage.

In addition to his focus on disaster recovery and veterans' issues, Ryan has expressed opposition to congestion pricing in Manhattan, a policy aimed at reducing traffic congestion in the city. His stance reflects a broader concern for the economic and social implications of such measures on residents and businesses.

As a member of Congress, Ryan has participated in various legislative initiatives and discussions, including voting on resolutions related to national emergencies and international relations. His political actions and positions are influenced by his background in military service, his experience in local government, and his commitment to addressing the needs of his constituents in New York's 18th congressional district. Ryan's current term is set to conclude on January 3, 2027, as he continues to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives.