Ryan Taughrin

Ryan Taughrin earned a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York, Fredonia in 2010 and a graduate degree from the University at Buffalo in 2012. Taughrin's career experience includes working as an education administrator.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m a proud father, husband, union-member, and product of the public education system. Raised by a single mother in South Cheektowaga, I know what it’s like to live paycheck-to-paycheck. I was the first in my family to attend college and have dedicated my career to opening doors for students who are facing similar challenges—and who need someone to believe in them. As a child and teenager, I watched my mom battle addiction and work multiple part-time jobs just to keep us afloat. When I started working myself at fifteen, it was not for some extra spending money like so many of my friends. It was because we needed the income to survive.

Losing my biological mother and grandfather within a few years, it was the support of teachers, and my best friend’s family taking me in that helped me through some of the most difficult times in my life.

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With the help of my community, I was able to overcome these struggles to become the first in my family to graduate college (SUNY Fredonia). I then went on to complete a Master’s Degree from the University of Buffalo, and am currently finishing my PhD from UB as well. During my time in college, I was honored as a SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence winner and nominated for the Lanford Prize, Fredonia’s highest honor for graduating students. Despite overwhelming personal struggle, I knew how important and valuable my education was to chart a better path for myself, and to inspire the desire to help others.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

I am running to get universal healthcare passed in New York, or pass legislation to lower prescription and routine medical costsI am running to get universal child care funding delivered to Western New YorkI am running to push back against corporations; whether those are utility monopolies getting record profits, or tech corporations working to build massive AI data centers, I want to put the residents of our district first.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Education, Higher Education, Utilities, pushing back against unregulated ALRP use, AI data centers, child care, health care, utilities and environmental protection.

What organizations or individuals have endorsed your campaign?

New York State AFL-CIO, NYSUT, CWA, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood Empire State Votes, Run for Something, PEF, NY League of Conservation Voters, NY Nurses Association, IUPAT