George Conway enters crowded NY-12 Democratic primary to succeed Nadler
George Conway, a conservative lawyer, former Republican and co‑founder of the Lincoln Project, has filed Federal Election Commission paperwork to run as a Democrat in New York’s 12th Congressional District — a Manhattan seat stretching from Union Square through Midtown to the northern edge of Central Park and the Upper East and West Sides. He has not made a formal campaign announcement but joins an increasingly crowded Democratic primary of at least nine candidates, including Jack Schlossberg, Cameron Kasky and Assemblyman Micah Lasher, and has characterized the current House as “a kneeling gallery” to President Trump while calling for “fearless and relentless” Democrats.
📌 Key Facts
- George Conway has filed official Federal Election Commission paperwork (Dec. 23, 2025) to run as a Democrat for New York’s 12th Congressional District.
- New York’s 12th District covers much of Manhattan — from Union Square through Midtown to the northern edge of Central Park — including the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.
- Conway is entering an increasingly crowded Democratic primary: reporters say at least nine candidates are running, including Jack Schlossberg, Parkland activist Cameron Kasky and Assemblyman Micah Lasher.
- Conway is a conservative lawyer, an ex‑Republican and former Trump critic who co‑founded the anti‑Trump group The Lincoln Project.
- In his own written comments, Conway described the current U.S. House as "a kneeling gallery" to President Trump and called for "fearless and relentless" Democrats.
- Conway has filed paperwork but has not yet made a formal public campaign announcement and did not respond to requests for comment.
📊 Relevant Data
The average legal immigrant to the U.S. will reduce the federal budget deficit by $837,000 over their lifetime, while the average unlawful immigrant will increase it by $129,000.
The Fiscal Impact of Immigration (2025 Update) — Manhattan Institute
New York City expects to spend $12 billion over the next three years on housing, food, health care, and other services for recently arrived illegal immigrants.
The Cost of Illegal Immigration to Taxpayers — House Committee on the Budget
In the 2024 June state and congressional primary, voter turnout in Manhattan was 13.0%, compared to 10.4% in the Bronx and 8.9% in Queens, boroughs with higher proportions of Black, Hispanic, and Asian residents.
2024 Voter Analysis Report — New York City Campaign Finance Board
Federal immigration enforcement could lead to higher construction costs and labor shortages in New York City's affordable housing projects, as immigrants comprise about 50% of the city's construction workforce.
NYC's affordable housing goals face threats from federal immigration enforcement — amNewYork
📰 Sources (4)
- Article confirms Conway filed paperwork Monday to run as a Democrat in New York’s 12th Congressional District but has not yet made a formal campaign announcement.
- Provides geographic description of NY-12’s boundaries: from Union Square to the northern edge of Central Park, including the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.
- Reiterates that other notable Democrats already in the primary include Jack Schlossberg and Micah Lasher, framing the race as an increasingly crowded field.
- Article confirms that George Conway has filed official paperwork to run as a Democrat in New York’s 12th Congressional District.
- Notes that Conway’s campaign has not yet made a formal public announcement and did not respond to a request for comment.
- Reiterates and slightly updates context that the NY-12 Democratic primary is increasingly crowded, including Jack Schlossberg and state lawmaker Micah Lasher.
- Confirms that Conway has formally filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to run for the U.S. House from New York.
- Specifies the race is for New York's 12th Congressional District, covering Manhattan’s Upper East Side, Upper West Side and Midtown.
- Notes that Conway joins at least nine Democratic candidates, including Jack Schlossberg, Cameron Kasky and Assemblyman Micah Lasher.
- Includes Conway’s own written characterization of the current House as 'a kneeling gallery' to President Trump and his call for 'fearless and relentless' Democrats.
- Provides biographical/political context that Conway is a conservative lawyer, former Trump critic and co‑founder of The Lincoln Project.