Auringer Responds With Stronger Accountability Pledge After Ryan Turns Pledge Offer Into Political Attack

Jackie Auringer today released a stronger Hudson Valley Accountability Pledge after Congressman Pat Ryan turned what he claimed was a good-faith proposal into a politics-as-usual attack.

Auringer never refused to sign a positive campaign pledge. She made clear she would respond with a stronger pledge that applied equally to both candidates and included real accountability for Hudson Valley voters.

"Pat Ryan offered a pledge about positivity and then used it to launch a negative political attack," the campaign said. "That is Washington politics as usual. My pledge is stronger, fairer, and focused on the voters not protecting an incumbent," said Auringer.

Ryan's proposal asked for a positive campaign while omitting basic protections against taxpayer-funded campaigning, ballot-access lawsuits, and limited debate access.

Auringer's amended pledge goes further by calling for: • No taxpayer-funded campaign-style franked mail after July 15 • No frivolous lawsuits to remove candidates from the ballot • Four debates, including one televised district-wide debate

Auringer called on Ryan to sign the Hudson Valley Accountability Pledge and commit to a campaign based on records, issues, debates, and transparency.

"If Pat Ryan truly wants a positive campaign, he should stop playing games and sign the stronger Hudson Valley Accountability Pledge," said Auringer.

Download the Hudson Valley Accountability Pledge (PDF)

**1. Positive Campaign Based on Records and Issues** The campaign will focus on the candidates' records, votes, qualifications, and positions on the issues affecting Hudson Valley families. There is no place for personal attacks, deceptive tactics, or distractions from the issues voters care about.

**2. No Taxpayer-Funded Campaigning** Incumbents should not use taxpayer resources to gain a political advantage. Taxpayer-funded franked mail should end no later than July 15 of an election year, ensuring that public funds are not used for campaign-style communications in the closing months of an election.

**3. Let the Voters Decide** Candidates should not use the courts to deny voters a choice. In the future, neither candidate will support the filing of frivolous lawsuits to remove an opponent from the ballot. If a candidate unsuccessfully sues an opponent off the ballot, that campaign will reimburse the prevailing party's reasonable legal fees.

**4. Debate the Issues** The candidates will participate in at least four debates before Election Day: one in Orange County, one in Dutchess County, one in Ulster County, and at least one televised district-wide debate. Hudson Valley voters deserve multiple opportunities to hear directly from both candidates, with debate moderators and formats mutually agreed upon by both campaigns.

**5. Respect Workers' Choice** If campaign employees choose to organize, that decision should be respected.

**6. No Special Interest Money** Jackie Auringer pledges not to accept contributions from corporate PACs, business PACs, or other special interest political action committees. Her campaign will be funded by individuals, not special interests seeking influence in Washington.

**7. AI Transparency** Neither campaign will knowingly use AI-generated content to deceive or mislead voters.