Republican challenger says she will participate in forums before audiences across the political spectrum
NEW YORK’S 18TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT — Republican congressional candidate Jackie Auringer has invited the Mid-Hudson Valley chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America to host a public debate between herself and Democratic Congressman Pat Ryan as the campaign for New York’s 18th Congressional District moves toward the general election.
Auringer announced Monday, Aug. 10, that her campaign had sent a formal invitation to the Mid-Hudson Valley DSA, asking the organization to propose possible dates, formats and logistical arrangements for a debate.
It was not immediately clear whether the organization had accepted the invitation or whether Ryan’s campaign had agreed to participate.
Auringer said the unusual choice of a potential host was intentional, arguing that candidates should be willing to appear before audiences that may disagree with their positions.
“I believe candidates should be willing to answer tough questions and defend their positions before audiences that may not agree with them,” Auringer said. “That is why I have asked the Mid-Hudson Valley DSA to host a public debate between Congressman Ryan and me.”
According to her campaign, Auringer has already accepted invitations to participate in candidate forums or debates organized by the Dutchess County Regional Chamber of Commerce, Orange County Chamber of Commerce and Daily Freeman.
The proposed DSA-hosted debate would potentially address taxes, policing and public safety, energy policy and private-property rights — issues on which Auringer says she differs sharply with Ryan and democratic-socialist activists.
In her letter to the organization, Auringer used considerably more pointed political language than in the campaign’s announcement, accusing Democrats and democratic socialists of supporting “higher taxes, defunding the police” and energy policies she said hurt ratepayers.
Those characterizations represent Auringer’s campaign arguments, rather than neutral descriptions of Ryan’s positions or those of the Mid-Hudson Valley DSA.
Auringer’s letter also described the DSA as having “emerged as the leading voice of the Democratic Party.” The Democratic Socialists of America is a separate political organization and is not itself the Democratic Party.
The invitation attempts to draw a connection between Ryan and the organization, but the campaign announcement does not establish that Ryan is a member of the Mid-Hudson Valley DSA or that the organization speaks for his campaign.
“If your chapter is willing to host and moderate a forum, and if Congressman Ryan has the courage to participate, I will absolutely be there,” Auringer wrote.
Ryan, a Democrat, represents the 18th Congressional District, which includes Orange County and portions of the Hudson Valley, making the contest directly relevant to Warwick-area voters.
A debate hosted by an organization perceived as ideologically closer to the political left could provide an unusual setting for the Republican challenger. Auringer said that is precisely the point.
“Whether the audience is a Chamber of Commerce, a newspaper or an organization whose members strongly disagree with me, voters deserve the opportunity to hear the candidates make their case and answer questions,” she said.
The next step now rests with the prospective host and Ryan campaign.
Auringer’s campaign has requested that Mid-Hudson Valley DSA respond with potential dates and format options. No debate date or location has been announced.
Should the organization accept and both candidates participate, the event would offer voters an opportunity to hear the congressional rivals address their differences directly rather than through campaign advertising and prepared statements.
The Warwick Valley Dispatch will follow invitations and responses from both campaigns as debate and candidate-forum schedules for the 18th Congressional District are finalized.
