Democrats are falling over themselves to enter the race to replace retiring House Rep. Jerry Nadler, whose congressional district covers a large portion of Manhattan, including some of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the country.
About a dozen contenders have either announced a run or are eying a possible campaign, with the Democratic primary seven months away.
A Parkland school shooting survivor, a Kennedy scion, the ex-husband of a former Trump aide and a pair of state lawmakers are among some of the hopefuls who could be on the primary ballot in June.
Here’s a look at the candidates — one of whom will likely coast into the seat if they get the nomination because the district is reliably blue.
Micah Lasher
State assemblyman Micah Lasher — widely seen as Nadler’s preferred successor — said Democrats need to use “every lever of power” to take on President Trump and Republicans when he announced his run earlier this fall.
The 43-year-old former aide to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who also worked for Nadler, 78, wants to raise the minimum wage, expand childcare and roll out Medicare for All.
Alex Bores
State assemblyman Alex Bores, 35, who reps Midtown East, said he’s running to “recode Washington” after serving in Albany since 2023.
He has tackled the rising use of artificial intelligence during his tenure and has vowed to fight for the “little guy” in Congress. He touted legislative wins including helping pass legislation to make AI safe in an October campaign video.
Jack Schlossberg
President John F. Kennedy’s grandson Jack Schlossberg kick-started his campaign for Congress by quickly invoking his family’s famed name as he vowed to stand up to President Trump.
The 32-year-old political scion is known for provocative social media posts – even blasting his cousin, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. – and has faced skepticism from Dems about his run.
Erik Bottcher
Chelsea City Councilman Erik Bottcher touted himself as a lawmaker on the forefront of LGBTQ civil rights issues when he announced his run in mid-November.
The openly gay pol, 46, was first elected in 2021 to represent parts of Manhattan in and around midtown after serving as an aide to then-Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
He claimed New York City is under attack by President Trump in his campaign announcement.
Cameron Kasky
Parkland school survivor Cameron Kasky, who has been described as a Democratic socialist, said he is pushing for Medicare for All and dismantling ICE when he threw his name in the ring on Nov. 18.
The 25-year-old is also a staunch gun control activist, as he was at Florida’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School when a crazed gunman killed 17 of his classmates in 2018.
The Jewish Kasky has taken strong positions against Israel’s actions in Gaza, reportedly calling it a “genocide,” a position that could be controversial in neighborhoods in the district such as the Upper East and West sides.
Liam Elkind
Community organizer Liam Elkind started his campaign for Congress before Nadler announced he was stepping aside, bashing elderly Democratic House reps for holding onto power.
Upper West Side native — who is the founder of the group Invisible Hands, which delivers food to the need — claimed the Democratic Party is dying and urged Nadler to leave office rather than seek another term.
Jami Floyd
Former WNYC journalist and attorney Jami Floyd said she’s running because Democrats in the city are sick of politics as usual.
She wants more affordable housing and more funds for public safety, vowing she’s ready to “shake some sense into the Democratic Party.”
Laura Dunn
Civil rights attorney Laura Dunn boasted her work advising the Obama administration’s White House Task Force to Protect Students against Sexual Assault and her efforts in the US Senate where she focused on combatting human trafficking and tackling military sexual assault.
Dunn, 40, has also been involved in Title IX advocacy and protested against ICE’s crackdown on illegal immigrants.
Alan Pardee
Alan Pardee, a former managing director at Merrill Lynch, said he’s running for Congress to boost housing while cutting down on hunger faced by New Yorkers.
The co-founder of Mercury Capital Advisors, who announced his run in September, said he’s helped build businesses during his career in finance.
Mathew Shurka
LGBT activist Mathew Shurka is a first time candidate who has been a dogged advocate against conversion therapy after undergoing the treatment growing up.
He argued in a campaign roll out this week that, as a former waiter who barely had enough for rent, he can relate to New Yorkers scraping by to survive.
George Conway
Former conservative lawyer-turned-Trump antagonist George Conway has yet to officially announce his run for office, but is considering a run for the seat even though he currently lives in Bethesda, Maryland, according to the New York Times.
Conway, 62, is the ex-husband of former Trump aide Kellyanne Conway and vowed during a private event this week to take on the White House and undo “damage” done in the Department of Justice, the Times reported.
