 He twice ran for the Legislative Assembly in the 1980s, contesting Earlwood in 1984 and Camden in 1988, but lost both times, the latter by only 31 votes.He also served on the party's state executive from 1988 to 1992.Ryan was elected to parliament on his third attempt in 1991, entering the Legislative Council after winning preselection for the safe fourth Liberal position on the coalition's ticket.