Full Breakdown
NY-12 Democratic Primary: Money, Candidates, and Uncertain Belief
6/25/2026, 12:14:35 AM
Core Event
The Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District will select a successor to long-time incumbent Jerry Nadler, who announced his retirement last year. The race features eight declared Democrats competing for a seat that covers Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Upper West Side, Midtown, and Chelsea. The district is one of the richest, smallest, and most solidly Democratic districts in the country.
Background & Context
NY-12 is among the nation’s smallest and wealthiest districts, roughly the size of Wales or New Jersey, ranking in the 95th percentile for Silent-Generation voters and having the most college-educated residents. Nadler’s tenure since 1992 made the seat a solidly Democratic district.
Candidate Landscape
Assemblyman Micah Lasher (West Side) carries Nadler’s endorsement. Assemblyman Alex Bores (East Side) is noted for an AI-related proxy conflict. Former Republican operative George Conway, a Trump critic, pledged a single term, impeachment of Trump, and arrived at events with his corgi Clyde. Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy, is a social-media presence. Four additional Democrats have also filed.
Data Snapshot
The district is among the nation’s richest, with a high concentration of college-educated residents and a large Silent-Generation cohort. Campaign finance filings show candidates raising multi-million-dollar sums, prompting descriptions of the race as “awash with money.”
Official Statements & Responses
Conway pledged to serve one term, pursue impeachment of former President Donald Trump, and prioritize housing affordability, linking the issue to federal spending on a $1 billion ballroom renovation and a refurbished aircraft. Lasher’s campaign cites Nadler’s endorsement as validation of continuity.
Criticism & Opposition
The race is described as awash with money but short on belief, and the lack of a clear front-runner has drawn criticism about the influence of money on local representation. Observers describe the race as glitzy, cautious, confusing, spiky, and uninspiring.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Polling data varies: one survey placed Schlossberg at 22 % support, another at 11 %; Lasher’s numbers shifted from 22 % to 14 % across different polls, indicating uncertainty about voter preferences. Primaries are notoriously hard to poll, and the Twelfth District is especially scatterbrained, contributing to the divergent results.
Verbatim Quotes
- “We can’t fix all of that until he’s gone.” — George Conway, Democratic primary candidate
- “Affordability,” — George Conway, Democratic primary candidate
- “How do you spend a billion dollars on a ballroom?” — George Conway, Democratic primary candidate
- “It’s insane. We spent all this money to refurbish this 747 he got from Qatar.” — George Conway, Democratic primary candidate
What’s Next
The upcoming Democratic primary will select the party’s nominee. Given the district’s solid Democratic orientation, the nominee will be the party’s candidate for the seat. The primary outcome will shape the district’s representation in Congress.
