Micah Lasher (D) defeated Alex Bores (D), George Conway (D), Jack Schlossberg (D), and four other candidates in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District on June 23, 2026. As of April 2026, Bores, Conway, Lasher, and Schlossberg led in polling, fundraising, and local media attention.
Incumbent Jerrold Nadler (D), first elected in 1992, did not seek re-election. Nadler endorsed Lasher on February 9, 2026. The Washington Examiner's Ron Kampeas said, "many of the candidates are leaning into personal stories that help them stand out in a field where there is broad agreement on making New York affordable and stopping Trump’s excesses."
Lasher was elected to the New York Assembly in 2024. Lasher earlier worked as a staffer to Nadler, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I), and Gov. Kathy Hochul (D). City & State New York's Peter Sterne said Lasher was "widely seen as the heir apparent to retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler." Lasher ran on his professional experience. Lasher's campaign website said he had "played a key role in passing landmark laws to strengthen gun control, protect abortion access, and raise the minimum wage."
