Frontline New York Democrat puts abortion rights front and center in his reelection bid

NEW YORK — Democratic Rep. Pat Ryan’s campaign today is unleashing a withering attack ad blasting Republican opponent Alison Esposito over abortion rights — a signal that the first-term Democrat is thrusting the issue to the forefront of the campaign.

The 15-second spot is a test for blue-state Republicans like Esposito, who has focused her campaign on issues that advantage the GOP — the migrant crisis, public safety and inflation — while downplaying abortion.

Democrats across New York are taking the opposite approach. Like Ryan in the swing Hudson Valley seat, the party is expected to zero in on abortion rights this campaign season, as Republicans fight to retain their narrow congressional majority. Since the overturning of Roe, Democrats have consistently won tight races across the country that revolve around the issue.

Ryan is spending five figures on the ad, which will appear on digital platforms and streaming services, his campaign said.

In a statement, Ryan called Esposito “too extreme for the Hudson Valley” and signaled plans to highlight reproductive rights in the race for one of the state’s six battleground House races.

"Choice is on the ballot this fall, and my far-right opponent is a direct threat to reproductive freedom,” Ryan said. “Alison Esposito vowed to defund Planned Parenthood, called overturning Roe ‘the absolute right thing,’ and pledged fealty to Donald Trump and his extreme campaign to rip away reproductive rights across the country.”

Esposito has carved out a careful stance on abortion rights , an issue she says should be left to state governments.

She does not support a federal ban on abortion, has pointed to New York’s already robust laws around the procedure and called for expanded options for adoption.

Esposito accused Ryan of having “resorted to lying” about her position.

“He is unable to run on his failed record,” Esposito campaign spokesperson Taylor Malkin said. “While Pat Ryan is focused on running a fear-based negative campaign, Alison is focused on uniting our community and tackling the issues most important to Hudson Valley families.”

The last month has been a turbulent one for Democrats.

Ryan was among the first House members to call on President Joe Biden to end his campaign after a halting debate performance in June. ( Ryan endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris on Monday.)

And the uncertainty at the top of the party’s ticket has created questions for down-ballot Democrats across the country over how to run a competitive campaign that drowns out the national noise.

But the freshman lawmaker’s Biden stance also showed he was willing to exhibit an independent streak — one his campaign does not expect Esposito to demonstrate when it comes to former President Donald Trump.

Ryan’s strategy, in part, mirrors the one he employed to win a special election in 2022 against Republican Marc Molinaro.

In that race, Ryan trumpeted his support for abortion rights in the wake of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

It was a successful plan, with Ryan ultimately winning what was widely viewed as a bellwether contest that summer.

Now, New York Democrats are banking on a proposed amendment being put before voters that would, among other rights, enshrine abortion access into the state constitution.

The voter interest that’s expected to be generated by a campaign pushing for it could generate higher turnout among Democrats in New York — helping down-ballot candidates like Ryan along the way.

A version of this story first appeared Tuesday in New York Playbook. Subscribe here.