Former NYPD Inspector Alison Esposito took aim at her congressional opponent, Rep. Patrick Ryan, during a recent event for GOP women candidates, accusing him of shifting his approach to public service after leaving the military.
Esposito, a recruit by Rep. Elise Stefanik’s E-PAC group, emphasized her background as a cop and criticized Ryan for his stance on rule-of-law issues. She claimed that Ryan, a Democrat and Iraq War veteran, portrays himself as a moderate but has acted otherwise, citing his past actions as Ulster County executive.
In response, Ryan highlighted his recent trip to the southern border and bipartisan support from Hudson Valley law enforcement officials. He defended his record, noting that he was one of 15 Democrats to call on President Biden to seal the border by executive order.
The debate between Esposito and Ryan underscores the importance of rule of law and border security in the upcoming election. Both candidates emphasized the need to address the challenges posed by illegal immigration and sanctuary state policies.
Stefanik, who introduced Esposito and five other endorsed women candidates at the event, expressed confidence that these candidates could make a difference in November. She framed the election as a choice between Republican efforts to counter “far-left Democrats” and their policies.
The clash between Esposito and Ryan highlights the contentious nature of the race for New York’s congressional seat. As the election approaches, both candidates are expected to continue to focus on issues such as border security and law enforcement.
