Sept. 15, 2025
Micah Lasher, who currently represents the Upper West Side and Morningside Heights in Assembly District 69, formally announced his campaign on Monday to succeed Rep. Jerrold Nadler in Congress.
Nadler, who has represented the Upper West Side in Congress for more than three decades, announced at the beginning of September that he would not seek re-election for New York District 12, which also includes the Upper East Side and Hell’s Kitchen.
Lasher’s announcement on Monday makes him the second candidate to officially enter the Democratic primary, along with Liam Elkind.
“Right now, we Democrats need our own Project 2026 that spells out what we’re going to do and how we’ll improve people’s lives; here’s mine,” Lasher said in his campaign announcement video. “Repeal Trump’s tax breaks for the rich. Pass Medicare for all. Raise the minimum wage. Massively expand childcare. Replace the crazy tariffs with policies that protect American workers. And locally, I’ll focus on crime and quality of life, and strengthening public transportation and addressing the housing crisis, with more investment and fewer barriers to housing that working families can actually afford.”
Lasher was elected as the successor to longtime Assemblymember Daniel O’Donnell in November of 2023, but has a long history in politics, including as Gov. Kathy Hochul’s policy director and legislative director for then Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
Before that, Lasher worked as an aide to Nadler.
Upper West Side Councilmember Shaun Abreu praised Lasher’s “relentless drive” to the Rag.
“Micah Lasher has the relentless drive and proven track record New Yorkers demand,” Abreu told West Side Rag in a text. “From bringing down long-standing scaffolding to taking on the national battles, Micah has shown he knows how to fight and how to win. He is the leader this moment demands, and I’m proud to endorse him for Congress.”
While Nadler has not said who he will support in the upcoming congressional race, sources familiar with his thinking told The New York Times that he will most likely support Lasher.