NEW YORK CITY — George Conway, Micah Lasher, Alex Bores, Jack Schlossberg, and Brian Mangan are running in the Democratic primary for New York's Twelfth Congressional District. The primary follows Jerry Nadler's announcement last year that he would retire from Congress after serving since 1992.

New York's Twelfth District encompasses the Upper East Side, the Upper West Side, midtown, and Chelsea. Lasher, a 44-year-old one-term assemblyman from the West Side, has received endorsements from Nadler, former mayor Michael Bloomberg, and Governor Kathy Hochul. Lasher previously served as an aide to Nadler, head of state legislative affairs for Bloomberg, and policy director to Hochul. His campaign launched an initiative called "Micah Mayhem" at the start of May.

Conway, 62, has stated his intention to serve only one term, impeach Donald Trump, and then retire. He was offered a Justice Department post during Trump's first term and was married to Kellyanne Conway until 2023. Kellyanne Conway served as Trump's campaign manager and as a senior White House counsellor. Regarding Trump, Conway said, "We can't fix all of that until he's gone." On the topic of affordability, he asked, "How do you spend a billion dollars on a ballroom?" adding, "It's insane." Conway also commented on the refurbishment of a 747, stating, "We spent all this money to refurbish this 747 he got from Qatar."

Millie Cassese, a former court reporter, said, "Micah Lasher knows the area, but, in the current moment, we need a fighter." Lasher stated, "It's a very informed, educated electorate." He also said, "I have figured out a way to stymie Trump legislatively." Filmmaker Benny Safdie and his wife, Ava Safdie, are voting for Lasher, partly due to an endorsement from their local councilwoman, Gale Brewer.

Other candidates in the primary include Alex Bores, a two-term assemblyman from the East Side, and Jack Schlossberg. Schlossberg is the only candidate among the five to indicate he would vote against providing Israel with offensive weapons, though he supports providing defensive weapons and funding the Iron Dome. Lasher, Bores, and Conway have stated they would not block sending Israel offensive or defensive weapons. Schlossberg commented on the differences between himself and other candidates, stating, "We could not be more different." Brian Mangan, a member of the Democratic Socialists of America and a former delegate candidate for Bernie Sanders, also lives in the Twelfth District.