The Poughkeepsie Journal tracks the differences between the two candidates currently vying for the 19th Congressional District seat in voting that is ongoing through Aug. 23. Republican Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Democrat Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan are competing to fill the final weeks of Democrat Antonio Delgado's term, after he left to become lieutenant governor. Molinaro and his campaign have said Ryan is “lusting for power,” and that he will “rubber stamp” Democrat plans in Washington while Ryan has called Molinaro a “career politician” who lacks “backbone.” Ryan is also calling Molinaro a Republican, as many from the party supported an attempted coup of the government in 2021. “I took an oath to support and defend the constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” Ryan wrote on his campaign website. “I always perceived the greatest threat to be foreign, but it is clear with right-wing attacks on our democracy, women’s healthcare, and our ability to keep guns off our streets, we must stand up to domestic extremists.” Molinaro wants to distract voters from that subject, and has been focusing on the economy. “As a responsible steward of local tax dollars, I invest in programs that provide a high rate of return, and making government efficiency a priority,” Molinaro wrote on his campaign website. “I will take this same mentality to Washington and fight to reduce the burden on the people of upstate.” Abortion may be the largest issue in the campaign as Ryan approves, and Molinaro is opposed. But Molinaro claims he would not vote for a national ban on abortion. Voting continues this week at a limited number of locations in each county, and expands to all locations on Aug. 23. Read more about this story in the Poughkeepsie Journal.