Pat Ryan Bio
Patrick Kevin Ryan (born March 28, 1982) is an American politician, businessman, and former U.S. Army intelligence officer. He has served as the U.S. representative for New York’s 18th congressional district since 2023 and is a member of the Democratic Party. Before his time in Congress, Ryan served as the county executive of Ulster County, New York, and built a career in business that included founding a data analytics company.
Ryan first reached national attention after winning a special election in August 2022 for New York’s 19th congressional district, a result widely viewed as an upset. He then won election to the redrawn 18th district later that same year. He is known for his military background, his focus on veteran issues, and his opposition to congestion pricing in Manhattan.
Early Life and Background
Patrick Kevin Ryan was born and raised in Kingston, New York. His mother worked as a public school teacher, and his father owned a small business, giving him an early appreciation for public service and entrepreneurship. His grandfather served on the Kingston City Council, a family connection to local government that shaped his later interest in politics.
Ryan graduated from Kingston High School in 2000. He went on to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in international politics in 2004. He later returned to graduate study and completed a Master of Arts in security studies at Georgetown University. Two of his West Point classmates, John James and Wesley Hunt, later became fellow members of Congress.
Path to US Politics
Ryan served in the U.S. Army as a military intelligence officer from 2004 to 2009. During his Army career, he completed two combat tours in Iraq, including a deployment to Mosul in 2008 during the height of the insurgency. He attained the rank of captain and was awarded two Bronze Star Medals, along with the Army Commendation Medal and the Army Achievement Medal.
After leaving the military, Ryan moved into the private sector. From 2009 to 2011, he worked as deputy director of Berico Technologies, serving as a subcontractor for Palantir Technologies in Afghanistan. In 2011, he co-founded Praescient Analytics, a software company focused on data analysis. He later served as a senior vice president at Dataminr, an artificial intelligence platform, and worked as a senior adviser at New Politics in 2018 and 2019.
Ryan’s entry into electoral politics came in 2018, when he ran for the Democratic nomination in New York’s 19th congressional district and received 18 percent of the vote in the primary against Antonio Delgado. That experience prepared him for his successful 2019 campaign for Ulster County executive and, eventually, his run for Congress.
Pat Ryan Career
Early Career (2019–2022)
Ryan’s first elected office came in 2019, when Ulster County Executive Mike Hein resigned to join Governor Andrew Cuomo’s administration. On April 30, 2019, Ryan defeated Republican nominee Jack Hayes in a special election to succeed Hein and was sworn in on June 7, 2019. He became the second county executive of Ulster County since the county adopted its charter in 2008.
As county executive, Ryan launched a universal basic income pilot program that provided $500 per month to 100 families in the county. He also pushed environmental policies, including a commitment to transition county government operations fully to renewable energy by 2030 and a partnership with SUNY Ulster to promote green energy jobs. In November 2019, he defeated Hayes again in a rematch to win a full four-year term, and in January 2020 he endorsed Pete Buttigieg for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Congressional Breakthrough (2022)
Ryan’s national political breakthrough came on August 23, 2022, when he won a special election for New York’s 19th congressional district. He narrowly defeated Republican Marc Molinaro, the Dutchess County Executive, by 51.1 percent to 48.8 percent, a margin of about 2,858 votes. The win was considered an upset, as Ryan had trailed in pre-election polling.
Political observers credited Ryan’s victory to his strong support among college-educated voters, particularly women, following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade. He was sworn into office on September 13, 2022, becoming the U.S. representative for the 19th district. Two weeks into his tenure, his first bill, the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, passed the House with bipartisan support, addressing gaps in VA loan eligibility for some National Guard and Reserve members.
On the same day as his special election victory, Ryan also won the Democratic nomination for the redrawn 18th congressional district. In the November 2022 general election, he defeated Republican Colin Schmitt and began representing the 18th district in 2023.
U.S. House Era (2023–Present)
Since taking office in the 18th district, Ryan has served on the House Committee on Armed Services during the 118th Congress. In February 2023, he was among twelve Democrats who voted for a resolution to end the COVID-19 national emergency. Following catastrophic flooding in the Hudson Valley in July 2023, he worked with local leaders and federal agencies to coordinate recovery aid, including assistance for West Point, which suffered severe damage.
Ryan has positioned himself as a staunch opponent of congestion pricing in the most congested parts of Manhattan, advocating for his Hudson Valley constituents who commute into New York City. On July 10, 2024, he publicly called for President Joe Biden to withdraw from the 2024 presidential election. He continues to represent New York’s 18th congressional district in the 119th Congress.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Ryan’s most notable achievements are his 2022 special election upset win in the 19th district, his role in passing the Expanding Home Loans for Guard and Reservists Act, and his leadership during the 2023 Hudson Valley flood response. His two Bronze Star Medals from service in Iraq also stand as defining milestones in his career.
Pat Ryan Career Wins
Ryan’s electoral record includes one special election victory and one general election win for the U.S. House of Representatives, along with two victories for Ulster County executive. His congressional wins have been closely contested, reflecting the competitive nature of his Hudson Valley districts.
Congressional Highlights
Ryan’s first congressional win came in the August 23, 2022 special election for New York’s 19th district, where he defeated Marc Molinaro by roughly 2,858 votes. His second came in the November 2022 general election, when he won the redrawn 18th district against Republican Colin Schmitt. Both victories established him as a persistent campaigner in competitive Hudson Valley races.
Other Wins and Achievements
Before his federal wins, Ryan won a special election for Ulster County executive on April 30, 2019, defeating Jack Hayes, and then won a full four-year term in a November 2019 rematch. He has also received two Bronze Star Medals, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Army Achievement Medal for his military service.
Pat Ryan Family
Family Background and Public Service
Ryan’s family has deep roots in Kingston, New York. His mother was a public school teacher, and his father owned a small business. His grandfather served on the Kingston City Council, giving the family a long history of involvement in local civic life.
Personal Life
Ryan lives in Kingston, New York, with his wife, Rebecca Ryan, née Grusky. The couple married in 2015 and have two children. Ryan was previously married before his current marriage. He is Catholic.