Congressman Ryan, Ulster County Democrats Celebrate Victories and Look to the Future.

This past Tuesday Pat Ryan, D-Gardiner, held his victory party at the Best Western Plus Kingston Hotel And Conference Center in Kingston as he became the newly elected Congressman of District 18.

Ryan defeated Republican opponent, Colin Schmitt, R-New Windsor, in a very close race winning by less than 1 percent of the vote. 

Other Hudson Valley Congressional races include districts 17 and 19 which both went to the Republicans — Mike Lawler, R-Pearl River, and Marcus Molinaro, R-Red Hook, respectively. 

Despite Ryan being the only Hudson Valley Democrat to pull out a congressional victory, the energy in the room was electric as candidates and voters alike came together to celebrate — sharing food, drinks and cheering on as each representative delivered what felt like one continuous victory speech.