New York Republican calls on Pat Ryan to return AIPAC cash
GOP congressional candidate Jackie Auringer has called on her opponent, Democrat Pat Ryan, to return money he received from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC). Ryan previously voted to end aid to Israel, breaking with his party, and had pledged to refund AIPAC contributions, perhaps costing him over $790,000 according to an analysis of federal Election Commission records.Despite this promise, Ryan has already returned all AIPAC-related donations and has stated he no longer supports their endorsement, criticizing their stance on Israel. AIPAC has expressed hope that Ryan’s actions will reflect broader policy changes, but questions remain about whether he has fully begun returning the funds. The race for New York’s 18th Congressional District is considered competitive,but Ryan’s significant fundraising advantage and political history suggest it remains an uphill battle for Auringer.
GOP congressional hopeful Jackie Auringer is calling on her opponent, Rep. Pat Ryan (D-NY), to follow through on his commitment to return money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
Ryan was one of 103 Democrats in the House to break with his party line and vote to end all aid to Israel earlier this month. Ryan called the aid “wrong on every level” and promised to refund AIPAC contributions in a series of July 15 posts on X.
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A Washington Examiner analysis of Federal Election Commission records found that the Hudson Valley congressman would be out more than $790,000 if he followed through on that promise.
“As he committed to, Rep. Ryan has returned all PAC contributions from AIPAC as well as donations from any individual donors who have requested it,” a spokesperson for Ryan’s campaign told the Washington Examiner. “Pat has had countless conversations with constituents across our district about this issue and will continue to make decisions based upon what he believes best represents this community.”
The campaign did not respond to a follow-up request for the number of AIPAC donors who have requested refunds and the total amount Ryan has returned so far.
The Washington Examiner’s figure includes both money donated directly by AIPAC and by individual donors through AIPAC’s portal. Ryan has received more than $400,000 in direct donations and more than $375,000 in individual contributions during his two terms in Congress.
“Pat Ryan broke his promise to unequivocally support Israel,” Auringer said on Wednesday. “He should return the money to the donors who believed he would keep that promise.”
Ryan had previously been a strong pro-Israel voice in Congress and had attended an AIPAC trip to the country in 2023. Yet the Army veteran and former Ulster County executive suddenly backtracked on that support this month.
“I expect groups like AIPAC will not support me in my future elections and frankly, I don’t want their support,” Ryan wrote on X after the vote on Israel aid. “Hardline stances that refuse to stand up to a corrupt and increasingly dangerous Netanyahu regime have no place in our politics.”
Track AIPAC, an organization that measures the influence of pro-Israel money on American politics, replied to Ryan’s post and asked if he would now “dump AIPAC.”
“Yes, don’t want their endorsement and returning the funds,” Ryan responded 20 minutes later.
Track AIPAC told the Washington Examiner earlier this month that it hoped Ryan’s “commitment goes beyond returning money and extends to the policy choices that matter more than the money itself.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to AIPAC for comment about whether he had begun the process of returning the funds.
Even if Ryan does return the money, the race for New York’s 18th Congressional District would remain an uphill one for Auringer. The 29-year-old, who works for her family’s construction company, was a political unknown before she launched her campaign.
NEW YORK DEMOCRAT PAT RYAN PLEDGES TO REFUND AIPAC MONEY. IT COULD COST HIM $790,000
Ryan dwarfs Auringer in fundraising. His campaign coffers held $3,116,479.19 as of June 30, compared to Auringer’s $61,255.39.
The nonpartisan Cook Political Report rates the race as “Solid D.”
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