Micah Lasher, a New York State Assemblyman, won the Democratic primary for New York’s 12th Congressional District, securing the nomination to replace retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler. With 85% of the vote counted, Lasher led with 39%, narrowly defeating Assemblyman Alex Bores, who received 35%. Other notable candidates included George Conway (6.1%) and Jack Schlossberg (10.8%).
The heavily Democratic district, which includes Manhattan’s Upper East and West Sides, is expected to elect Lasher in November. The race drew significant attention due to its high-profile candidates and substantial financial backing, including $20 million in AI-related spending.
Lasher, endorsed by Nadler, Gov. Kathy Hochul, and former NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg, campaigned on progressive policies such as climate action and transgender healthcare access. Bores, a former Palantir employee, emphasized AI regulation and was backed by unions and pro-Israel moderates. Conway, a Trump critic, focused on impeaching former President Donald Trump, while Schlossberg, a Kennedy family member, leveraged his celebrity status.
The candidates largely aligned on Israel, refusing to label its actions in Gaza as genocide, though Schlossberg opposed weapon sales to Israel. The district, home to the largest Jewish population in the U.S., saw minimal debate on the issue compared to other races.
The primary also highlighted the influence of AI lobbying, with pro-regulation advocates clashing with tech-aligned super PACs. Bores accused AI megadonors of targeting him after he authored New York’s RAISE Act, a strict AI safety law.
Lasher’s victory solidifies his path to Congress, continuing Nadler’s legacy in a district that has been a Democratic stronghold for decades.