Empire State Today

More than 200 mailers supporting GOP congressional candidate Alison Esposito were found near a creek in the Hudson Valley, as reported by the New York State Republican Party. The party has filed a complaint with the US Postal Service over what they allege is "election interference."

The mailers, which criticized Democratic incumbent Rep. Pat Ryan, were meant to be delivered to voters but were instead discovered torn and shredded by a fisherman near Sprout Creek. "It’s certainly a case of election interference," said state Republican Party spokesman David Laska. He added that the USPS should investigate whether this was an inside job.

The complaint was lodged against an unnamed "USPS Employee/Contractor," suggesting that the mail was diverted while in USPS custody. According to the complaint, approximately 200-250 pieces of political mail were found on Brown Road by Sprout Creek.

The New York Post has reached out to USPS for comment on this matter.

The race between Esposito and Ryan in New York's 18th District is one of several competitive congressional contests in the state that could influence control of the House of Representatives. Four Republican victories in New York during the 2022 midterm elections contributed to securing a House majority for the GOP.

An Emerson College poll earlier this week showed Ryan leading Esposito by nine points, with Ryan supported by 51% of likely voters and Esposito backed by 42%. The campaign has been intense between Ryan, an Army combat veteran, and Esposito, who served as an NYPD officer for 25 years.