Story perspectives

Lasher Wins $26M NY Primary Backed by Bloomberg, Nadler

6/25/2026

Center

Lasher Wins Primary

AdImpact reported $26 million in advertising, making the race one of New York’s most expensive House primaries.
Micah Lasher won the June 23 Democratic primary for New York’s 12th Congressional District with 39 % of the vote.
Lasher secured endorsements from Rep. Jerry Nadler, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Eight Democrats ran, with Kennedy grandson Jack Schlossberg receiving about 10.8 % of the vote.

Left

Lasher Wins Primary

The Manhattan Democratic primary turned into a $27 million proxy battle among artificial-intelligence industry donors.
Micah Lasher won the Manhattan Democratic primary, backed by endorsements from Rep. Jerry Nadler, Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
The campaign outspent rival Alex Bores after Bores secured $27 million from AI-backed super-PACs.
Jack Schlossberg, Kennedy grandson, earned under 11 percent, a result Caroline Kennedy said reflected democratic expectations.

History

Historical Context

The 2010 Supreme Court ruling in Citizens United v. FEC removed limits on corporate and union independent expenditures. That decision sparked a rise in outside spending, which grew from $574 million in 2008 to $3.3 billion in the 2020 cycle, and enabled the creation of super PACs. Today, Manhattan’s Democratic primary sees multi-million-dollar super-PAC spending, illustrating the ruling’s lasting impact on local races.

1 of 3

Lasher Wins Primary

AdImpact reported $26 million in advertising, making the race one of New York’s most expensive House primaries.
Micah Lasher won the June 23 Democratic primary for New York’s 12th Congressional District with 39 % of the vote.
Lasher secured endorsements from Rep. Jerry Nadler, former Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Eight Democrats ran, with Kennedy grandson Jack Schlossberg receiving about 10.8 % of the vote.

1 / 3