Rep. Pat Ryan is looking for a few good patriots.

The Hudson Valley Democrat is launching a political action committee to elect public-service oriented candidates, POLITICO reports today.

Think people who have served in the military, or worked as teachers or first responders.

And Ryan, who has represented a swingy House seat for two terms, plans to raise $2 million this election cycle for the effort called Patriot PAC.

If successful, the project stands to boost a Democratic Party nationally that has struggled to regain voters’ trust following President Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the GOP controlling all levers of Washington power.

Ryan wants Democrats to be seen as “the patriotic party, the party of service.”

“The Republican Party cannot make a claim on it anymore,” he said in an interview. “That creates not only an opportunity, but a need for the Democratic Party to assert what has always been foundational to us, which is that we are that party of selflessness and the common good.”

It’s a tall order. Democrats are sharply divided in New York over the ideological direction of the party.

The moderate Ryan has largely sidestepped that debate: He’s endorsed Zohran Mamdani, but also wins praise from centrist Democrats.

“People who have worn the uniform, who have worked in classrooms or hospitals, know what it means to sacrifice for something greater than themselves,” said Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a retired Army officer and potential presidential candidate, in a statement. “Our country needs more patriots in elected office, at every level.

Ryan will roll out a series of endorsements, including 50 New York candidates in local races. He plans to endorse 250 Democrats nationally next year.

Initial endorsees include Hempstead Supervisor candidate Joe Scianablo, a Marine veteran and retired NYPD officer.

In the Buffalo suburbs, he’s backing Amherst town supervisor candidate Shawn Lavin, who serves in the Air National Guard.

Another endorsement will go to Jackie Salvatore, a candidate for Columbia County sheriff. (She would become the first woman of color elected sheriff in New York.)

And in New York City, he will endorse Council Member Rita Joseph, a former public school teacher.

The PAC push is fueling talk that he will seek higher office in the near future. Ryan insisted he’s focused on the present day.

“I really am worried and focused about the moment we’re in where there’s tremendous harm being done to my community, my district, my state and to my country,” he said. “The only way I know how to stop that is to put forward the best people.” — Nick Reisman