--- title: "Ryan vs. Auringer: 2026 New York’s 18th District race" url: "https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ny-18" updated: "2026-08-01" source: "Candidates' campaign sites and Ballotpedia, quoted verbatim" publisher: "Pluribus" --- # 2026 New York’s 18th District race: Pat Ryan (D) vs. Jackie Auringer (R) Rating: Safe D · Election: November 3, 2026 · Ballot checked: October 9, 2026 · Positions captured: August 1, 2026 In New York's 18th Congressional District, incumbent Democrat Pat Ryan faces Republican nominee Jackie Auringer in the 2026 general election after primary elections for both parties were canceled. Ryan, a combat veteran and former Ulster County Executive, centers his platform on middle-class tax relief, protecting abortion rights, public safety, and renewable energy investment. ## Candidates - **Pat Ryan** (Democrat, incumbent) · [Campaign site](https://www.patryanforcongress.com) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Pat_Ryan_%28New_York%29) - **Jackie Auringer** (Republican) · [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jackie_Auringer) ## Issues ### Economy and cost of living Salience: high **Pat Ryan:** Supports middle-class tax cuts and corporate accountability Ryan focuses on lowering costs for working families by confronting price-gouging corporations and delivering tax cuts for the middle class. He advocates for organized labor, federal paid family leave, equal pay, and investments in local infrastructure and small business growth. - Cut the local gas tax by 50% during his tenure as Ulster County Executive. - Proposes middle-class tax cuts funded by ensuring corporations and billionaires pay their fair share. - Supports federal paid family leave, equal pay legislation, and strengthening organized labor. - Voted for the Tax Relief for American Families and Workers Act of 2024 and the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. > “In Congress, Pat's fighting inflation by going after price-gougers who are harming customers, guaranteeing middle-class voters get a tax cut, and making sure billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share.” > — Pat Ryan, via [Campaign site](https://www.patryanforcongress.com) **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ### Abortion and reproductive rights Salience: high **Pat Ryan:** Supports codifying federal abortion protections Ryan frames reproductive freedom as a foundational constitutional right and strongly opposes restrictions on healthcare access. He advocates for federal legislation restoring the protections guaranteed under Roe v. Wade and opposes a national abortion ban. - Opposes a national abortion ban. - Supports federal legislation to restore and enshrine Roe v. Wade protections. - Opposes targeting or defunding reproductive healthcare providers like Planned Parenthood. > “In Washington, Pat will fight to ensure reproductive rights for women, make sure the right to vote is protected, and guarantee Americans are safe. He will stand against a National Abortion Ban and fight to re-establish the protections guaranteed by Roe v. Wade.” > — Pat Ryan, via [Campaign site](https://www.patryanforcongress.com) **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ### Crime and public safety Salience: high **Pat Ryan:** Supports law enforcement funding and gun control Ryan advocates for a dual public safety policy that combines increased funding for law enforcement with strict gun control laws. He also prioritizes expanding mental health and addiction treatment infrastructure to improve long-term community safety. - Increased funding for the Ulster County violent crime task force and law enforcement as County Executive. - Voted in Congress to increase funding for law enforcement budgets. - Supports federal gun control policies including red flag laws, an assault weapons ban, and universal background checks. - Reinstated the Ulster County Mental Health Department and created a 24/7 crisis stabilization center. > “Having carried weapons of war in combat Pat understands the devastating power they can inflict and has called for the passage of commonsense gun reforms including, red flag laws, assault weapons ban, and universal background checks.” > — Pat Ryan, via [Campaign site](https://www.patryanforcongress.com) **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ### Climate change and energy Salience: medium **Pat Ryan:** Supports green energy transition and climate action Ryan considers climate change a major long-term threat and supports investments in clean energy technology, job training, and electric public transportation. He opposes regulatory rollbacks that permit pollution of local natural resources. - Committed Ulster County to 100% renewable energy by 2030 and launched electric public buses. - Established the Green Careers Academy at SUNY Ulster to train workers for green technology jobs. - Voted against the Lower Energy Costs Act (H.R. 1). - Opposed the repeal of the Stream Protection Rule and supported remaining in the Paris Climate Accords. > “Pat knows the greatest threat to our future is climate change. We must make sure we are investing in our children and grandchildren by moving towards a greener future.” > — Pat Ryan, via [Campaign site](https://www.patryanforcongress.com) **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ### Voting rights and democracy Salience: medium **Pat Ryan:** Supports expanding federal voting rights protections Ryan views protecting voting access and strengthening democratic norms as central to defending the U.S. Constitution. He advocates for federal voting legislation while opposing strict new registration barriers. - Supports passing the federal John Lewis Voting Rights Act. - Voted for the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022. - Voted against the SAVE Act (H.R. 22), which mandated documentary proof of citizenship to register for federal elections. > “Pat supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and will make sure our right to vote is protected and enshrined.” > — Pat Ryan, via [Campaign site](https://www.patryanforcongress.com) **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ### Immigration and border security Salience: medium **Pat Ryan:** Supports targeted immigration enforcement measures Ryan's voting record reflects support for specific accountability measures regarding non-citizens who commit offenses like DUI, while opposing comprehensive Republican border and enforcement packages. - Voted for the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act of 2025 (H.R. 875) to make impaired driving grounds for deportation or barring entry. - Voted against the Laken Riley Act (S. 5) regarding mandatory detention for theft or burglary offenses. - Voted against the Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2). - Voted against impeaching Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (H.Res. 863). **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ### Civil rights and LGBTQ+ rights Salience: medium **Pat Ryan:** Supports federal marriage equality and protections Ryan supports statutory protections for same-sex marriage and civil rights protections against discrimination. He opposes measures that restrict participation based on gender identity in athletics. - Voted for the Respect for Marriage Act (H.R. 8404) codifying federal recognition for same-sex and interracial marriages. - Voted against the Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2025 (H.R. 28). > “With the overturning of Roe v. Wade a number of core freedoms are under threat, Pat will work to make sure that every American can marry whoever they chose.” > — Pat Ryan, via [Campaign site](https://www.patryanforcongress.com) **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ### Foreign policy and national security Salience: low **Pat Ryan:** Supports diplomatic priority and military readiness As a West Point graduate and combat veteran serving on the House Armed Services Committee, Ryan supports strong national defense funding alongside diplomacy-first foreign policy. He cautions against military intervention when diplomatic and economic tools are available. - Serves on the House Armed Services Committee. - Voted for the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2023 and FY2024. - Advocates prioritizing economic sanctions and international diplomacy prior to taking military action. > “We must pursue diplomacy and economic sanctions before resorting to war. As the most wealthy and powerful nation in the world, America has a responsibility to make our world more peaceful.” > — Pat Ryan, via [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Pat_Ryan_%28New_York%29) **Jackie Auringer:** No documented position in our sources ## Polls and markets _Updated Oct 31._ - [Polymarket](https://polymarket.com/event/ny-18-house-election-winner) — NY-18 House Election Winner: Democrats 96.1%, Republicans 4.1% - [Kalshi](https://kalshi.com/events/HOUSENY18-26) — NY-18 House winner?: Pat Ryan 97.0%, Jackie Auringer 5.0% [View this race on 2026election.com](https://www.2026election.com/race/2026-house-ny-18)