{"id":262911,"date":"2026-06-11T07:22:27","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T07:22:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/262911\/"},"modified":"2026-06-11T07:22:27","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T07:22:27","slug":"ny-12-candidates-split-on-israel-clash-over-billionaire-bucks-in-latest-debate-to-replace-nadler","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/262911\/","title":{"rendered":"NY-12 candidates split on Israel, clash over billionaire bucks in latest debate to replace Nadler"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Democratic candidates vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler clashed Tuesday night over Israel, artificial intelligence and billionaire influence, in a debate that underscored the unsettled state of the NY-12 primary<\/a> and left Assembly Member Alex Bores<\/a> facing the most sustained attacks from his rivals.<\/p>\n

The Spectrum News NY1\/WNYC debate<\/a> at Baruch College brought together Bores, attorney George Conway<\/a>, Assembly Member Micah Lasher<\/a>, Kennedy family heir Jack Schlossberg<\/a>, and public health expert Nina Schwalbe<\/a>. The candidates are competing for the Democratic nomination in Manhattan\u2019s 12th Congressional District, a seat Nadler has held since 1992 in the city\u2019s wealthiest district.<\/p>\n

The debate came as the race remains fluid. A mix of public, campaign-sponsored and outside-group polling has shown<\/a> Bores, Lasher and Schlossberg each leading at least one survey, with the most recent poll listed \u2014 an Emerson College survey for Nexstar\/PIX11 conducted May 16 to 17 \u2014 showing Lasher narrowly ahead of Bores, 22% to 20%.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The sharpest policy split of the night came over U.S. military aid to Israel. Asked whether they would support the Block the Bombs Act, a House measure aimed at restricting certain offensive weapons transfers to Israel unless the Israeli government certified their use complied with U.S. and international law, Schwalbe and Schlossberg said yes. Lasher, Conway, and Bores said no.<\/p>\n

Schwalbe took the most leftward position on the issue, saying, \u201cI absolutely support the Block the Bombs Act,\u201d while also opposing continued U.S. funding for Iron Dome.<\/p>\n

\u201cI support a free Palestine and a Democratic Jewish state of Israel, but U.S. tax dollars should not be paying for genocide,\u201d Schwalbe said. \u201cI think Israel can pay for its own defense systems.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Nina Schwalbe used Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debate to cast herself as the most left-leaning candidate in the racePhoto by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

Schlossberg also said he would vote to stop sending offensive weapons to Israel and would support Block the Bombs, calling it \u201ca moral question.\u201d But he split from Schwalbe on Iron Dome, saying he supports continued funding because it protects civilians.<\/p>\n

Lasher said he did not believe Block the Bombs would meaningfully improve conditions for Israelis or Palestinians. Instead, he said he would reintroduce Nadler-backed legislation to sanction West Bank settlement expansion and violence and push for stronger enforcement of the Leahy laws, which govern U.S. foreign assistance and human rights.<\/p>\n

Conway said he opposed Block the Bombs and strongly supports Israel, though he said he does not support some conduct of the Gaza war and is \u201ccertainly not a particular fan\u201d of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He argued that the distinction between offensive and defensive weapons is not \u201cmeaningful and enforceable.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bores aligned himself with Nadler\u2019s position, saying he would not support Block the Bombs, would continue Iron Dome funding and would back sanctions against violent West Bank settlers.<\/p>\n

Foreign policy entered the debate even before the Israel section. Candidates were asked about breaking news that the U.S. had launched airstrikes in Iran in response to Iran shooting down a U.S. military helicopter.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bores declined to comment on the specific action without more reporting but said the war should end immediately. Schwalbe called the war illegal and said Congress had failed by not speaking out earlier. Lasher called it \u201cwrong and reckless.\u201d Conway said he opposed the war from the start as \u201cstupid and unlawful.\u201d<\/p>\n

Schlossberg raised Israel during that exchange before moderators formally turned to the subject.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cI oppose sending offensive weapons to Israel,\u201d Schlossberg said. \u201cI oppose sending bulldozers to continue perpetuating the illegal settlements in the West Bank.\u201d<\/p>\n

NY-12 candidates clash on AI and billionaires
\n\"\"Jack Schlossberg used Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debate to sharpen his generational-change pitch, while clashing with rivals over Israel, billionaire money and his famous family name.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

The other dominant clash of the night was over money in politics, particularly the role of AI, crypto, and billionaire-funded super PACs in the race. The fight over outside spending has been building for weeks. <\/p>\n

In the last televised debate<\/a>, Lasher and Schlossberg attacked Bores over support from a super PAC linked to Anthropic and another backed by crypto billionaire Chris Larsen, while Bores pointed to OpenAI-linked spending against him as evidence that parts of the tech industry want to stop him.<\/p>\n

Moderators noted that, according to The New York Times, approximately $12 million was being spent by AI firms, about half in support of Bores and half against him. They also noted a pro-Lasher super PAC funded largely by former Mayor Michael Bloomberg \u201cto the tune of over $7 million.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Bores, a former Palantir employee who has made AI regulation a centerpiece of his campaign, defended his tech background as an asset.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause I know what actually happens inside these companies, and that\u2019s what terrifies them,\u201d Bores said, arguing that Palantir, OpenAI, and Andreessen Horowitz were spending against him because he passed what he called the strongest AI safety bill in the country.<\/p>\n

He said voters should see the attacks as proof that he had taken on powerful interests.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is a moment when New York 12 voters can look all of them in the eye and say no,\u201d Bores said. \u201cThey don\u2019t determine the future of this technology. We, the American people, do.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"Alex Bores spent much of Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debate on defense, as rivals pressed him over AI, crypto money and his past work at Palantir.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

Lasher rejected that framing, arguing that Bores was obscuring the extent of tech and crypto support behind his campaign.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe crypto industry has entered the chat,\u201d Lasher said, accusing Bores of seeking support from the industry and receiving a favorable rating from a crypto group.<\/p>\n

Bores pushed back, saying he had worked with Attorney General Letitia James on stronger crypto regulation and that crypto industry groups had opposed his tech and AI bills.<\/p>\n

After the debate, Lasher doubled down, telling reporters that voters should demand transparency from outside groups and saying the next NY-12 representative should be independent of AI companies.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should not be letting any of our tech oligarchs write our AI policy,\u201d Lasher said.\n<\/p>\n

Pressed on Bloomberg\u2019s support for his own campaign, Lasher said super PAC spending is \u201cenormously unhealthy for our democracy,\u201d but argued there was a difference between Bloomberg \u2014 a district resident and former mayor who knows his work \u2014 and AI companies or crypto-billionaires, he said, have \u201can agenda\u201d in Washington.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Micah Lasher leaned on his government experience and Nadler endorsement at Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debatePhoto by Lloyd Mitchell \"\"Micah Lasher spoke with reporters after Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debate, one of only three candidates \u2014 along with Nina Schwalbe and George Conway \u2014 to enter the post-debate spin room.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

Schlossberg, who was asked on stage about his own inherited wealth, rejected the comparison between family money and super PAC support.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is not about what I own. It is about who owns me,\u201d Schlossberg said, accusing Bores and Lasher of benefiting from billionaire-backed outside spending.<\/p>\n

That exchange produced one of the night\u2019s most personal moments. Lasher, while defending his own record in public service, invoked the Kennedy family legacy. Schlossberg pushed back sharply.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t need a lecture on the contributions of the Kennedy family to American politics, especially from you, Mr. Lasher,\u201d Schlossberg said. \u201cI\u2019m on this stage in my own right as my own man. I\u2019m Jack Schlossberg.\u201d<\/p>\n

He added: \u201cDo not ever invoke my family name to try to denigrate who I am and the person that I am.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

\"\"Jack Schlossberg rallied with supporters outside Baruch College ahead of Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debatePhoto by Lloyd Mitchell \"\"Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg, Jack Schlossberg\u2019s mother and the daughter of President John F. Kennedy, leaves the audience after Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 Democratic primary debate at Baruch College.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

Bores and Lasher also clashed directly over their records.\n<\/p>\n

During the cross-examination round, Bores asked Lasher about his role during the Bloomberg administration and a memo that referred to stop-and-frisk as a \u201cproven strategy.\u201d Lasher called the attack \u201cmeritless,\u201d said he personally opposed stop-and-frisk and argued that his work as director of state legislative affairs did not mean every memo reflected his own views.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought then, and think now, that stop and frisk was a horrific policy that imposed enormous harm on Black and brown communities in the city,\u201d Lasher said.<\/p>\n

He then turned the attack back on Bores, criticizing his work at Palantir. \u201cI chose public service,\u201d Lasher said. \u201cYou chose Palantir.\u201d\n<\/p>\n

Lasher, who has been endorsed by Nadler, Gov. Kathy Hochul and Bloomberg,\u00a0 used much of the evening to present himself as the experienced government hand in the race, citing his work for Nadler, the city, the state and the Assembly. On affordability, he pitched what he called a \u201cnew deal for a new generation,\u201d built around helping young people with a first job, first home and first year of parenting.<\/p>\n

Bores leaned into a different version of experience, arguing that voters should judge candidates by results. He touted his Albany record, saying he had been ranked the most effective new legislator from New York City by the Center for Effective Lawmaking and had passed 10 bills this year. He also noted support from labor and LGBTQ groups.<\/p>\n

\"\"Alex Bores greets supporters before Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debatePhoto by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

Schlossberg cast himself as the generational-change candidate, arguing that the people who oversaw the current affordability crisis should not be trusted to fix it. He promoted proposals including a renter tax deduction, an expanded child tax credit and making Trump pay for security costs around Trump Tower.<\/p>\n

Schwalbe, the only woman on stage, leaned heavily on her background in public health and global systems work. In her opening statement, she said the country was in \u201cdeep trouble,\u201d citing vaccines, abortion, science, SNAP, housing, and immigration.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a celebrity. I\u2019m not a billionaire. And I\u2019m not backed by the party,\u201d Schwalbe said. \u201cI\u2019m a fighter. I\u2019m a scientist and I\u2019m a mom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Afterward, Schwalbe told reporters she believed the debate helped broaden a race in which she said her campaign had been disadvantaged by money. Asked whether she had differentiated herself, she pointed first to her gender, then to substance, saying she was \u201cmore progressive\u201d and willing to call out Israel\u2019s behavior.<\/p>\n

She also sharpened a critique of both Bores and Lasher, contending that passing bills is not enough. If lawmakers struggle to deliver in Albany with a Democratic Legislature and Democratic governor, she said, voters should question what they would accomplish in Washington.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor me, I\u2019ve delivered a $7 billion program, 500 million vaccines around the world,\u201d Schwalbe said, arguing that governing is about passing laws, following the dollars and delivering funding.<\/p>\n

\"\"Nina Schwalbe spoke with reporters after Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debate, saying she stood out as the only woman on stage and as the most progressive candidate in the field.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

Earlier in the debate, Schwalbe also called on Sen. Chuck Schumer to step down as Democratic leader, asking the other candidates on stage to raise their hands if they agreed. None did.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Conway, meanwhile, repeatedly returned to his central argument: that Democrats cannot accomplish their major policy goals while Trump remains in office.\n<\/p>\n

In his opening statement, Conway said he had no intention of becoming a career politician and would serve only one term if elected. Throughout the debate, he argued that impeachment and removal of Trump and members of his administration should be the party\u2019s priority.<\/p>\n

Afterward, Conway acknowledged to reporters that his message could be difficult in a district where voters care deeply about policy.\n<\/p>\n

\u201cIn some ways, it\u2019s a tough message,\u201d Conway said, comparing it to telling voters they \u201ccan\u2019t have your candy yet.\u201d But he said NY-12 voters understand what the Trump administration has done and how the federal government works.<\/p>\n

\"\"George Conway spoke with reporters after Tuesday night\u2019s NY-12 debate, where he argued that Democrats cannot advance their agenda until President Donald Trump is removed from office.Photo by Lloyd Mitchell<\/p>\n

On housing and affordability, the candidates found more common ground. All five said they supported building new housing in the district. Bores, who called housing the biggest driver of affordability pressures, called for more federal support for cities and public housing. <\/p>\n

Lasher focused on tenant protections and anti-harassment measures. Schlossberg promoted a renter deduction. Schwalbe nina schwalbecalled NYCHA conditions a human rights issue and urged full funding for repairs. Conway linked affordability to tariffs, war, and health care costs, again arguing that those problems could not be fully addressed until Trump was gone.<\/p>\n

The candidates also broadly agreed on some progressive priorities, including opposition to the Iran war and support for abolishing ICE.\n<\/p>\n

Early voting<\/a> begins Saturday, June 13, and the primary is June 23.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The Democratic candidates vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler clashed Tuesday night over Israel, artificial intelligence and…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":262912,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[89536,24879,5200,38959,21558,75,84,83,3535,9,24,101949,101950,22547,63,613],"class_list":["post-262911","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-manhattan","tag-2026-democratic-primary","tag-alex-bores","tag-debate","tag-george-conway","tag-jack-schlossberg","tag-manhattan","tag-manhattan-headlines","tag-manhattan-news","tag-micah-lasher","tag-new-york","tag-new-york-city","tag-nina-schwalbe","tag-ny-12-primary","tag-ny12","tag-nyc","tag-pm-newsletter"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262911","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=262911"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/262911\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/262912"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=262911"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=262911"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=262911"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}