Auringer Urges Leaders to Unite Behind Stewart Airport Bid for U.S. Space Academy

KINGSTON, NY — October 20, 2026 — Jackie Auringer, candidate for Congress, is calling for a coordinated effort among federal, state, and local leaders to secure New York Stewart International Airport as the home of the proposed United States Space Academy.

Auringer is urging Governor Kathy Hochul to formally endorse Stewart's candidacy and calling on Congressman Pat Ryan to work with the administration and regional stakeholders to advance the proposal. The initiative, launched by President Donald Trump, would establish a national institution dedicated to aerospace education, engineering, scientific research, and preparing the next generation of American space leaders.

"Right now, with the rapid rise of AI and data centers, there is so much corporate, capital, and government investment flowing into machines and technology - but we can never forget that we need real investment in people," said Auringer.

"This is the kind of forward-looking investment that spurs innovation, investment, and inspires the dreams of the next generation," said Auringer. "The Space Academy is an initiative that deserves bipartisan cooperation. Governor Hochul, Congressman Ryan, and leaders at every level of government have an opportunity to work together to make Stewart a serious contender."

The push comes with high urgency as NASA's Request for Information (RFI) responses are due by 6 p.m. EDT on Monday, Oct. 26. Because federal guidelines dictate that each state is restricted to exactly one official submission via its governor’s designee, New York's selection depends entirely on Governor Hochul's swift authorization. The federal government has outlined an ambitious timeline, targeting a groundbreaking no later than 2027, temporarily hosting the first 300 students in 2028, and opening a permanent, fully operational campus by 2031.

To win this nationwide competition, New York's proposal must address strict federal criteria, including comprehensive location information, site readiness, environmental and regulatory considerations, and proximity to supporting ecosystems.

Stewart International Airport directly answers these requirements with existing aviation infrastructure, an 11,817-foot runway, and direct access to major transportation corridors. Crucially, the region already boasts a powerful, highly advanced technical backbone. The Hudson Valley is a premier high-tech corridor - anchored by major regional tech investments like IBM's massive multi-billion-dollar quantum computing and semiconductor expansions in Poughkeepsie, alongside growing advanced manufacturing installations from aerospace and electronic leaders like eMagin and AMD.

"We don't need to build a supporting tech ecosystem from scratch; the Hudson Valley is already leading it," Auringer emphasized. "Between our deep-rooted corporate technology anchors and the historic military tradition of West Point, we have an unmatched foundation. Bringing the U.S. Space Academy to Stewart Airport is the logical next step in that history, bridging our region's leadership in technology and conventional defense with the cutting-edge demands of national security in the space age.

State Senator James Skoufis has already urged Governor Hochul to advance Stewart as New York's proposed location. The proposed academy could create opportunities for partnerships with New York's universities, aerospace businesses, research institutions, and military installations while strengthening the Hudson Valley's position in the nation's growing aerospace economy.

"Regardless of party affiliation, bringing the U.S. Space Academy to Stewart should be a shared regional priority," Auringer added. "We support President Trump's initiative and are committed to working with federal, state, and local partners to pursue this opportunity."

The federal government is evaluating potential locations for the academy, with states invited to submit information about candidate sites and their capabilities.