Pat Ryan, Colin Schmitt Debate at Marist as Midterm Campaigns Enter Competitive Final Stretch

NY-18 congressional candidates Pat Ryan and Colin Schmitt in a debate moderated by Spectrum News 1 at Marist College on Oct. 18. Credit: Carlo de Jesus/Marist College

Marist College students were invited to gain a front seat to one of the most contentious congressional campaigns this midterm election season on Oct. 18, when the candidates running in N.Y.’s competitive 18th district engaged in a televised debate moderated by Spectrum News I from the College’s Cabaret Lounge. 

Democrat Rep. Pat Ryan (NY-19) and Republican state Assemblymember Colin Schmitt, the candidates vying to represent the purple district, sparred over hot-button issues—from inflation to school safety to abortion rights—before an audience of Marist students and faculty. In the only scheduled televised debate for the race, the candidates outlined their key platforms and aimed to win over undecided voters in the final weeks before a consequential and close election.

Particularly, Ryan aimed to juxtapose his liberal views on abortion with his Republican opponent while underscoring how a GOP-controlled Congress may act to restrict abortion at the federal level. As in Democratic campaigns across the country, Ryan is hoping the issue of abortion rights will motivate Democrats to the polls. Ryan emphasized that abortion is a “fundamental freedom and right” that shouldn’t be left to politicians while condemning the Supreme Court’s “out of step” decision overruling Roe v. Wade this summer. 

Schmitt stated firmly that he is pro-life and underscored his pro-life record in the Assembly, but supports a “common sense and compassionate approach.” When pressed by the moderator, Susan Arbetter, Schmitt added he opposes late-term abortion in any form, even if a woman and her doctor say it’s necessary.

Colin Schmitt, a state Assemblyman, is the Republican candidate vying to win the vacant seat in N.Y.-18 Credit: Carlo de Jesus/Marist College

The candidates provided contrasting assessments of the inflation crisis, which the moderator denoted is an issue top-of-mind for N.Y. voters this midterm, according to a recent Marist Poll. Schmitt, who—like most Republican candidates—has aimed to make the election a referendum on current economic woes, said inflation has been “exasperated by the Biden administration and House Democrats like Pat Ryan.” He added that a new Republican House majority would “stop the out-of-control spending” and restore American energy and supply-chain independence.

Ryan emphasized the need to “provide relief” to Americans suffering as a result of record-high inflation and cited his past efforts as Ulster County Executive to alleviate financial burdens. Both candidates stated they support a federal gas tax holiday, which would remove the federal gas tax of 18 cents for gasoline and 24 cents for diesel.

The debate grew tense at times as the candidates sparred over matters from campaign contributions to social security. When Schmitt attempted to paint Ryan as a “defund the police” candidate—a running theme in his attack ads against the Democrat—Ryan hit back, saying the attack is “absolute BS” given his record in supporting law enforcement. Schmitt responded by pointing to Ryan’s marching with “defund the police radicals” during the 2020 Black Lives Matter protests, noting the need for a pro-police congressman given the “public safety crisis in New York.”

Before the debate, the Ryan campaign hosted a rally outside the Rotunda in conjunction with Marist Democrats to engage with students and cheer on the candidate. Several students came out to meet the Congressman, who spoke to the crowd for roughly 15 minutes before heading into the Student Center for final debate preparations. 

Democratic candidate Rep. Pat Ryan speaks with Marist students in a rally before the Oct. 18 debate. Credit: Emily Stellakis ‘24

In a pre-debate rally for Ryan, students came out to show their support for the Democratic candidate. Credit: Emily Stellakis ‘24

Ryan—the former Ulster County Executive and Army intelligence officer—won a special election in August 2022 for the 19th district to fulfill the remainder of now-Lieutenant Gov. Antonio Delgado’s term, which expires in January. The summer race in the suburban district was closely watched as a bellwether for the November elections, and Ryan’s victory provided Democrats a sense of the potency of abortion rights—Ryan’s key platform—to voters. 

Schmitt was first elected to the N.Y. State Assembly from the 99th district in 2018. He also currently serves as a sergeant in New York Army National Guard, based in North Westchester.

The race has garnered national attention as one of the most competitive in both the region and the nation, with many pointing to the newly-drawn 18th district—which takes in much of Dutchess County, including Poughkeepsie, all of Orange County and part of Ulster—as a place that may well decide the control of Congress. 

In the aftermath of a chaotic redistricting cycle, New York State emerged as one of the nation’s most consequential congressional battleground regions. As denoted in the N.Y. Times, nine of N.Y.’s 26 seats are in play this November—more than any state but California. 

The Ryan campaign has raised $3.4 million and spent $2.8 million, compared to Schmitt’s $1.8 million raised and $1.3 million spent, according to Politico reporting in late October. National Republicans have tried to make up the difference for Schmitt, spending $3 million on ads and mailers attacking Ryan, while Democrats have spent $2.2 million to gain ground over Schmitt.

According to the Cook Political Report, the new 18th District is rated as “lean Democratic” with Democratic voters outnumbering Republicans by 46,000 in the district. Presidenƒt Joe Biden won the area by eight percentage points in 2020.