by Matthew Nanci
KINGSTON — Pat Ryan, runner-up in last year’s seven-way Democratic primary for the 19th Congressional District, won the Ulster County Democratic Committee’s nomination for county executive Wednesday night.
Ryan beat out Kingston businesswoman Pat Strong, a 2018 state Senate candidate and former Woodstock Supervisor Jeff Moran.
“I’m honored to be your nominee for County Executive,” Ryan said in Facebook post. “Lots more work ahead, and I’m excited to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with you all to do it. Thanks also to my family, my incredible team, and everyone who supported our campaign.”
The county executive job opened this month when Mike Hein announced he would be leaving the office he held for 10 years to take a position as commissioner of the state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.
Adele Reiter, a deputy county executive and Hein’s former chief of staff, is serving as acting county executive until a successor is elected – either in a special election or the general election in November.
Ulster Republicans will hold their convention on Feb. 23 and have not revealed any prospective candidates.