Four Democrats are competing in a heated primary for New York's 12th congressional district, a safely Democratic seat covering Manhattan's wealthiest neighborhoods. The race has drawn national attention due to its eclectic field: Jack Schlossberg, grandson of President John F. Kennedy; George Conway, a former Republican turned Trump critic; and two state representatives, Micah Lasher and Alex Bores. Early voting began on 13 June, with the primary closing on 23 June.
The Candidates and Their Platforms
Jack Schlossberg, 33, has leveraged his Kennedy name and social media presence—882,000 Instagram followers—to project youthful energy. He has little political experience but has been endorsed by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “The Democratic party has been way too cool,” Schlossberg said sarcastically when asked about criticism of his qualifications. “We need more old people, more people with less energy.”
Micah Lasher, a self-described “nerd,” has decades of political experience, including as chief of staff to the New York attorney general and director of policy for Governor Andrew Cuomo. He has been endorsed by outgoing Representative Jerry Nadler, who called him “New York's protector-in-chief against all things Trump.” Despite his credentials, Lasher has struggled to excite voters, with only 8,143 Instagram followers.
AI and Outside Spending
Alex Bores, another state representative, has focused his campaign on regulating artificial intelligence. This has made him a proxy in a battle between AI companies: groups tied to OpenAI co-founder Greg Brockman spent $6.2 million attacking Bores, while Anthropic spent a similar amount supporting him. “Outside groups representing AI interests have spent about $12 million in supporting, or opposing, Bores,” according to campaign finance reports.
George Conway, 62, has raised the most money—$6.6 million, including a $2 million personal loan—and has cultivated a tough-guy image. His ads have featured him giving the finger to a presidential motorcade and promising to put Trump in an “orange jumpsuit.” Despite his celebrity, Conway faces questions about his shift from Republican to Democrat.
Key Issues and Voter Concerns
The primary has largely avoided the Israel-Gaza debate, with none of the candidates calling Israel's actions a genocide. Instead, voters are weighing age and vitality against experience, AI regulation against outside spending, and the appeal of anti-Trump messaging. Polling has been volatile: Lasher led in mid-May, while Bores was ahead days earlier.
The outcome will signal Democratic priorities for the remainder of the Trump era. “Watching the Biden thing really said something about the necessity for generational change in the party,” Nadler told the New York Times, explaining his retirement after 33 years.
