Photo: Al Drago/Getty Images
Representative Jerry Nadler’s September announcement that he planned to retire at the end of his term sparked a frenetic race to find his successor, with a raft of legislators, commentators, and miscellaneous politicos joining the field in New York’s 12th Congressional District. Now, the longtime representative finds himself at odds with his longtime ally former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on who should replace him.
On Monday, as expected, Nadler endorsed state assemblymember Micah Lasher to represent the district, which spans the Upper West Side, Upper East Side, and midtown. In a video, Nadler touted the legislative achievements of his onetime aide, saying that Lasher will bring a “sense of urgency, creativity, and fearlessness to Congress.”
I’m proud and excited to endorse @micahlasher for Congress. He’ll bring a sense of urgency, creativity, and fearlessness to Washington. pic.twitter.com/aaQvKIMh4b
— Jerry Nadler (@JerryNadler) February 9, 2026
Lasher wrote on social media that he was “honored beyond words” to have Nadler’s support. “This endorsement means so much to me. Jerry Nadler has set an incredibly high bar for decades for smart, principled, progressive leadership on issue after issue,” he said.
Nadler’s announcement comes just days after the race received a jolt from Pelosi. The New York Times reported on Saturday that the former Speaker intended to endorse Jack Schlossberg, the prolific internet commentator and only grandson of John F. Kennedy Jr., to lead the district. “This is a consequential moment for the country — faith in our politics is fractured and trust in government is tenuous,” Pelosi said in a statement, per the Times. “This moment calls for leaders who understand the stakes and how to deliver for the people they serve.”
Nadler was notably dismissive of Schlossberg’s chances last year as speculation that the political scion was considering running for his seat. “Well, there’s nothing particularly good or bad about a Kennedy holding my seat,” Nadler told CNN’s Kate Bolduan in September. “But the Kennedy, unlike Schlossberg, should be somebody with a record of public service, a record of public accomplishment, and he doesn’t have one.”
Lasher is viewed by many as having an edge in the competitive race, adding Nadler to his long list of prominent endorsements including City Council member Gale Brewer, Manhattan borough president Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and comptroller Mark Levine. In addition to Lasher and Schlossberg, the race also includes state assemblymember Alex Bores, former lawyer and prominent Trump critic George Conway, and journalist Jami Floyd.
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