Auringer Raises Questions Ahead of April 27 Hearing: "Why Were Political Actors and Election Officials Watching From the Start?"

HUDSON VALLEY, N.Y. — With a court hearing scheduled for Monday, April 27, Republican congressional candidate Jacqueline "Jackie" Auringer is raising new questions about ballot challenges filed by Ulster County Clerk Taylor Bruck, pointing to a timeline and newly surfaced screenshots that appear to contradict his public claim that the effort was not about her candidacy.

The developments also raise questions about the role and awareness of Congressman Pat Ryan and individuals connected to the administration of elections in Ulster County.

"Taylor Bruck says this wasn't about me," Auringer said. "But he was watching me from the very beginning, before my campaign was public. Voters deserve to know who knew what, and when."

Auringer pointed to a sequence of events that raises serious concerns:

April 1: Private messages to Auringer indicate Bruck clearly had knowledge of her potential candidacy.

April 2-3: Bruck follows her on social media, and individuals connected to local political and election circles, including Ryan's staff and county officials Daniel Torres, also begin engaging.

April 6: Formal objections are filed against the petitions with New York State Board of Elections.

April 16: Court challenge escalates the effort to block ballot access.

"If this wasn't about stopping a candidate," Auringer said, "then why does every step in the timeline track with my campaign becoming public, and why are political actors and election officials showing up in that same window?"

Bruck previously told the Daily Freeman the challenge was initiated before another candidate entered the race and was focused solely on petition validity. Auringer said that explanation does not align with the full picture now emerging.

Bruck, who now serves as Ulster County Clerk, won that office after his opponent was removed from the ballot following a petition challenge. Auringer said that context raises broader questions about how these challenges are being used.

"Voters have seen how this works," she said. "And they're right to ask questions."

With the case set to be heard in court on April 27, Auringer said the situation raises broader concerns about transparency and trust in the electoral process.

"Pat Ryan talks about democracy and fair elections," Auringer said. "So here's a simple question: did he, or anyone connected to him, have knowledge of or benefit from this effort?"

Auringer, a businesswoman with a background in construction, said she is prepared to compete on the merits and called for a process voters can trust.

"Maybe they think I'm someone they can push around," she said. "They wouldn't be the first to get that wrong."

She closed with a direct appeal ahead of the hearing:

"I'm not asking for anything special," Auringer said. "Just let me earn it in front of the voters."