Democrat Pat Ryan Wins House Special Election In N.Y. Swing District

Democrat Pat Ryan won the special election in New York’s 19th Congressional District on Tuesday, handing the Democrats a significant win in the swing district.

Ryan defeated Republican Marc Molinaro with 51% of the vote in the district that President Joe Biden won by under two points in the 2020 election.

The race was closely watched as many saw it to be a bellwether for November as the two candidates focused heavily on the topics that will dominate the political landscape in a few months. Ryan focused on abortion and the overturn of Roe v. Wade while Molinaro emphasized inflation.

“Choice was on the ballot. Freedom was on the ballot, and tonight, choice and freedom won. We voted like our democracy was on the line because it is,” Ryan said in a statement. “We upended everything we thought we knew about politics and did it together.”

Ryan will serve in the House through January to finish out Rep. Antonio Delgado‘s (D) term. Delgado was appointed lieutenant governor in May.

The Hudson Valley executive is also running for a full term in November and will be challenged by Republican Colin Schmitt.

Molinaro is also running for a permanent seat.

“Whether it’s tonight or it’s Nov. 8, we are going to win the 19th Congressional District and give voice to people who are working too damn hard and getting too little in return,” Molinaro said Tuesday night.