The campaign of first-term Democrat Rep. Pat Ryan is bringing the topic of abortion rights to the forefront of the campaign with the release of a vicious attack ad today that attacks Republican opponent Alison Esposito on the issue.
For Republicans from blue states like Esposito, who has campaigned on topics that benefit the GOP—inflation, public safety, and the migrant crisis—while downplaying abortion, the 15-second commercial serves as a test.
On the other hand, Democrats in New York are moving in the opposite direction. In the upcoming campaign season, Republicans are anticipated to focus on abortion rights, similar to Ryan in the vulnerable Hudson Valley district, as they strive to hold onto their slim congressional advantage. Democrats have maintained a national winning streak in close races centered on the Roe v. Wade decision since its overturning.
According to Ryan’s campaign, the ad will run on digital platforms and streaming services and will cost five figures.
Ryan warned that Esposito was “too extreme for the Hudson Valley” in a statement and hinted that he would use his campaign to bring attention to reproductive rights in one of six close House elections in the state.
A direct threat to reproductive freedom is my far-right opponent, and you’ll have the chance to vote on this issue this fall, Ryan said. “Alison Esposito swore allegiance to Donald Trump and his radical agenda to undermine reproductive rights nationwide, called repealing Roe ‘the absolute right thing,’ and promised to cut funding to Planned Parenthood,” the article said.
When it comes to abortion rights, Esposito has taken a cautious approach, arguing that the matter is best handled by individual states.
She has argued for more adoption opportunities and cited New York’s strong abortion laws as reasons against a federal ban.
According to Esposito, Ryan “resorted to lying” regarding her job status.
“He cannot run on his track record of failure,” Taylor Malkin, a spokesperson for the Esposito campaign, stated. “Alison is committed to bringing our community together and addressing the concerns that matter most to families in the Hudson Valley, while Pat Ryan is intent on running a negative campaign based on fear.”
The Democrats have had a tumultuous last month.
After Joe Biden’s lackluster performance in the June debate, Ryan was one of the first House members to demand that Biden suspend his campaign. (On Monday, Ryan gave his support to Kamala Harris, the vice president.)
Democratic candidates farther down the ballot are wondering how they can conduct a strong campaign that stands out from the national din in light of the leadership’s apparent indecision.
Although Esposito’s team does not anticipate him to display any independence in relation to former President Trump, the freshman lawmaker’s support for Biden demonstrated his willingness to do so.
The campaign approach that Ryan used to defeat Republican Marc Molinaro in a 2022 special election is similar to this one.
After the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Ryan made no secret of his support for abortion rights during that campaign.
Ultimately, Ryan won what was largely considered a bellwether contest that summer, proving that the approach had been successful.
Today, Democrats in New York are putting their hopes on an upcoming ballot measure that would, among other things, guarantee abortion access as a constitutional right.
As a result of the anticipated increase in voter interest, Democratic turnout in New York could be greater, which would be good news for down-ballot candidates like Ryan.
