In a political contest that’s drawing national attention and stirring debate over the role of legacy and merit in American politics, the race to succeed Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York’s 12th Congressional District is rapidly heating up. As endorsements from party heavyweights roll in and the field of candidates grows more crowded, the contest is shaping up to be a test not just of political acumen but also of what voters value most: experience, celebrity, or a fresh approach to public service.
On February 9, 2026, Rep. Jerry Nadler, the long-serving Democrat and a fixture in Manhattan politics, officially endorsed Micah Lasher, his former aide and current New York State assemblyman, to take his place in Congress. Nadler’s decision, announced in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), was unequivocal. “One candidate by every measure, stands above the rest,” Nadler declared, naming Lasher as his pick and praising his “urgency, creativity, and fearlessness.” According to Nadler, Lasher’s career has been marked by a series of legislative achievements and a commitment to progressive causes that set him apart from the crowded field.
“He emerged as New York’s protector in chief against all things Trump,” Nadler said in his endorsement video, highlighting Lasher’s work alongside former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to combat gun violence, his efforts in the Attorney General’s Office, and his role in crafting the state’s billion-dollar investment in mental health care. Nadler also pointed to Lasher’s defense of abortion access and his authorship of landmark legislation to protect consumers, end housing discrimination, and ensure continued access to vaccines. Notably, Lasher’s bill to keep Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) out of schools, hospitals, and houses of worship is currently on a fast track for passage.
Lasher, who has served in the New York State Assembly since January 2025, responded with deep gratitude to his former boss. “Jerry Nadler has set an incredibly high bar for decades for smart, principled, progressive leadership on issue after issue,” Lasher wrote on X. “I’m honored beyond words to have his support.”
Lasher’s campaign has also garnered the backing of other prominent New York Democrats, including New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, City Council member Gale Brewer, and State Senator Brian Kavanagh. These endorsements, combined with Nadler’s, have given Lasher a clear boost—at least among the party’s establishment and policy-focused voters.
But Lasher is not without serious competition. The primary field includes Jack Schlossberg, the 33-year-old grandson of President John F. Kennedy and a social media personality who has contributed to Vogue; Cameron Kasky, a political activist and survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting; and Liam Elkind, a 26-year-old community organizer. Adding a twist to the race, George Conway, a conservative Trump critic and former husband of Kellyanne Conway, is also running as a Democrat, though Nadler has dismissed his chances in the heavily Democratic district.
The race took on new intrigue when news broke that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi plans to endorse Schlossberg. According to a source familiar with the matter, Pelosi’s endorsement is expected to provide a significant boost to Schlossberg’s campaign. In a statement viewed by The New York Times before its release, Pelosi said, “This moment calls for leaders who understand the stakes and how to deliver for the people they serve.”
Pelosi’s move has not gone without criticism. The Atlantic, in a sharply worded opinion piece published on February 10, 2026, questioned the wisdom of elevating Schlossberg, arguing that his fame derives more from his Kennedy lineage and social media presence than from substantive political experience. The article described him as “a person who is famous for being famous” and noted that his most notable professional role to date was as a Vogue campaign correspondent—a position that critics say he was ill-prepared for and that did little to demonstrate his readiness for national office.
“Schlossberg’s oeuvre at Vogue is indistinguishable either in content or in style from something that could have been produced by an adequately trained high-school student,” the article contended, casting doubt on his qualifications to represent one of the nation’s most influential districts. The piece also took aim at the Democratic Party’s continued fascination with the Kennedy name, despite a history of scandals and missteps among some of the family’s male members.
Yet, for all the skepticism, Schlossberg’s celebrity and Pelosi’s endorsement could give him a crucial edge in a district where name recognition counts for a lot. The primary is expected to be highly competitive, with the winner likely to play an outsized role in shaping national debates from the media capital of the country. As The Atlantic pointed out, “New York’s Twelfth, in the heart of Manhattan, probably has more Democrats qualified to serve in national leadership than any congressional district in America.”
Meanwhile, campaign finance reports suggest Lasher is leading the fundraising race, with over $1.1 million on hand as of early February 2026, compared to Schlossberg’s roughly $605,000. This financial advantage, coupled with a robust legislative record, could prove decisive as the campaign intensifies.
Nadler, for his part, has been open in his skepticism about Schlossberg’s candidacy, telling The New York Times that he doesn’t see a record of public service or accomplishment in the Kennedy scion’s background. “No other candidate in the race comes close to the depth and breadth of Micah’s record, not just on one issue, but across the many fronts where Democrats need to be stronger and smarter than ever,” Nadler said, making clear his preference for substance over celebrity.
As the Democratic primary approaches, the contest is shaping up as a high-profile showdown between political legacy and legislative experience, with the added drama of dueling endorsements from two of the party’s most influential figures. For voters in New York’s 12th Congressional District, the choice will be about more than just personalities—it will be a referendum on what kind of leadership they want in Washington at a time of national uncertainty and change.
With so much at stake and the eyes of the political world watching, the candidates and their supporters are gearing up for what promises to be a spirited—and closely scrutinized—race to the finish line.