![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/e24afe50d1a975aa1d2662e7710b2477ca-GettyImages-2257615540.rsquare.w400.jpg\")
<\/p>\n <\/p>\n
\n Photo: Al Drago\/Getty Images\n <\/p>\n
Representative Jerry Nadler<\/a>\u2019s 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\u2019s 12th Congressional District. Now, the longtime representative finds himself at odds with his longtime ally former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi<\/a> on who should replace him.<\/p>\n 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 \u201csense of urgency, creativity, and fearlessness to Congress.\u201d<\/p>\n I\u2019m proud and excited to endorse @micahlasher<\/a> for Congress. He\u2019ll bring a sense of urgency, creativity, and fearlessness to Washington. pic.twitter.com\/aaQvKIMh4b<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Jerry Nadler (@JerryNadler) February 9, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Lasher wrote on social media<\/a> that he was \u201chonored beyond words\u201d to have Nadler\u2019s support.\u00a0\u201cThis 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Nadler\u2019s announcement comes just days after the race received a jolt from Pelosi. The New York Times<\/a> reported on Saturday that the former Speaker intended to endorse Jack Schlossberg<\/a>, the prolific internet commentator and only grandson of John F. Kennedy Jr., to lead the district. \u201cThis is a consequential moment for the country \u2014 faith in our politics is fractured and trust in government is tenuous,\u201d Pelosi said in a statement, per the Times. \u201cThis moment calls for leaders who understand the stakes and how to deliver for the people they serve.\u201d<\/p>\n Nadler was notably dismissive of Schlossberg\u2019s chances last year as speculation that the political scion was considering running for his seat. \u201cWell, there\u2019s nothing particularly good or bad about a Kennedy holding my seat,\u201d Nadler told CNN\u2019s Kate Bolduan<\/a> in September. \u201cBut the Kennedy, unlike Schlossberg, should be somebody with a record of public service, a record of public accomplishment, and he doesn\u2019t have one.\u201d<\/p>\n 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<\/a>, and journalist Jami Floyd.<\/p>\n Sign Up for the Intelligencer\u00a0Newsletter<\/p>\n Daily news about the politics, business, and technology shaping our world.<\/p>\n Vox Media, LLC Terms and Privacy Notice<\/p>\n