Democratic U.S. Rep. Pat Ryan has been reelected to a second full term representing parts of the Hudson Valley in Congress, holding off a challenge from Republican Alison Esposito in the race for New York’s 18th Congressional District, the Associated Press has declared.

The freshman congressman was leading the former NYPD officer 59% to 41% with 72% of the expected vote counted, according to the latest unofficial results from AP.

Ryan was able to defend his seat in one of the most closely watched races in the country. The 18th District is made up of parts of Orange, Dutchess and Ulster counties, and includes the cities of Poughkeepsie and Kingston.

Ryan was first elected to Congress in a special election in 2022 to replace Antonio Delgado, who left Congress to become lieutenant governor. He won a full term in the fall of 2022 by 1.3 points.

Prior to serving in the House of Representatives, Ryan served as Ulster County executive. He is also a West Point grad and Army vet.

Esposito was the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor alongside Lee Zeldin two years ago. She conceded late Tuesday night.

"The people have spoken," she said. "And I called Congressman Ryan. I wished him luck. We had a very nice conversation. I told him to do good. I told him that I believed that we had the best interest of our country at heart. And I asked him to spend the next term putting our people first."

Ryan will be sworn in for another term in January as a member of the 119th Congress.