Republican candidate Jackie Auringer has called for an investigation into whether Democratic Representative Pat Ryan improperly claimed residency in Washington, DC, related to his children’s schooling. The dispute arises amid the ongoing campaign for a House seat representing New York’s Hudson Valley region.

Auringer alleges that Ryan, who represents the district, sends his young children to schools near Washington, DC, rather than within the district he claims as his primary residence. She asserts this raises questions about whether Ryan or another household member formally declared residency in DC to secure tuition-free access to the public school system there.

In a letter sent to the DC Office of the State Superintendent of Education, which handles inquiries about residency fraud in the city’s public schools, Auringer called for a review of the family’s enrollment status. She described such investigations as routine following any report of potential misrepresentation.

“Auringer noted that Ryan has collected more than $60,000 in taxpayer-funded lodging allowances for Washington while also benefiting from a $12,400 veterans property-tax exemption on his primary residence in New York. At the same time, she indicated his family has been utilizing DC schools,” according to her public statements.

The candidate’s inquiry specifically asks officials to clarify who in Ryan’s household claimed DC residency and whether those claims were accurate.

A spokesperson for Ryan declined to confirm whether his children attend school in the DC area or within the congressional district, citing the family’s safety and privacy concerns given the children’s ages of 4 and 7.

The controversy adds a new dimension to the competitive race in a district where Ryan’s residency and ties to the community could influence voter perceptions ahead of the November election. At present, no official determination has been announced regarding the requested investigation.