As Democrats challenge others on residency, timing and optics surrounding Ryan draw new scrutiny

ALBANY — NYGOP Chair Ed Cox today called out Congressman Pat Ryan on his double standard: Rep. Ryan and his allies are seeking to remove a Republican candidate from the ballot in New York’s 18th Congressional District over alleged “residency” issues; at the same time, questions have emerged regarding Ryan’s own residency, particularly his ties to Gardiner, New York, and whether he resides full-time in the district he represents.

Adding to those questions is a recently surfaced viral video published by TMZ showing Ryan bringing his school-age children to work with him at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C. on a school day. In the video, Ryan remarks, “We try to get them down here.”

Chairman Cox said the circumstances surrounding the video raise legitimate questions about both timing and consistency.

“If residency is important enough to try to knock someone off the ballot, then it should be important enough for Pat Ryan to answer questions about it,” Cox said.

Cox also questioned whether the video was carefully orchestrated:

“It was very convenient for Pat Ryan to be ‘caught’ on camera in a setting that reinforces a very specific political image,” Cox continued. “Voters are right to ask whether this was truly a spontaneous encounter or an effort to get ahead of growing questions.”

“You can’t have one standard for your opponents and another for yourself,” Cox said. “That’s the definition of hypocrisy.”

The New York Republican State Committee reiterated that ballot access laws should protect voters’ ability to choose, not be used to limit competition.

“This election should be decided by the voters of NY-18 – not by legal maneuvering or selective standards,” Cox said. “And those voters deserve clear, consistent answers from everyone on the ballot.”

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