Democratic incumbent Rep. Pat Ryan is projected to win over Republican challenger Alison Esposito in a tight suburban New York House race, according to the Associated Press.
Ryan racked up nearly 59% of votes compared to Esposito’s 41%, with 72% of ballots tallied, preliminary tallies from Tuesday’s election show.
The 18th congressional district covering Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties was one of the most competitive races in the 2024 election, as Democrats hoped to wrest Republicans’ razor-thin control of the House.
Rep. Pat Ryan defended his record supporting President Biden. CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Alison Esposito was 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin’s running mate. Getty Images
Ryan defended his record supporting President Biden — albeit admitting the president could do more on border security — while Esposito, a former NYPD deputy inspector and running mate to 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidate Lee Zeldin, hammered his ties to the administration’s policies.
Polls showed Ryan carried a slight edge in the race.
