Lawler won't run for NY governor, will seek reelection to House seat in district NY-17
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Rep. Mike Lawler will not run for New York governor next year, forgoing a brutal primary to seek reelection to his NY-17 congressional seat.
Lawler had been openly exploring a campaign against incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul, but he likely would have faced a bruising primary with Rep. Elise Stefanik. His decision clears the way for her to run against Hochul next year, if she chooses.
Instead, Lawler will defend his Hudson Valley seat in a key Democratic-leaning district that Republicans feared they would lose without Lawler.
Beth Davidson, Democratic candidate for New York's 17th Congressional District, responded today with a clear message: Game on.
"This morning Mike Lawler confirmed what we all knew: he does whatever Donald Trump tells him to do. I welcome him to the race. I welcome him to the fight. Because he's in for one," said Davidson in a statement.
"Day by day, vote by vote, lie by lie, Hudson Valley families are seeing Mike Lawler for who he is: a radical, right-wing operator and a rubber-stamp for Donald Trump's cruel, dangerous agenda. From slashing Medicaid and SNAP benefits to defending Trump's tariffs to defunding Planned Parenthood and PBS, Mike is wildly out of step with our district. Lawler does not represent our values-and come January 2027, he will no longer represent us in Congress."
Lawler was under intense pressure by Republicans to seek reelection, a message delivered by President Donald Trump during a White House meeting last week.
Lawler has not told many of his plans, recently informing House Speaker Mike Johnson.
He told Fox News that, "The right thing to do for me and my family and my district is to run for reelection."
He reminded Fox that he had to defend a swing district, and he was one of only three Republicans to win a seat in a district that Kamala Harris won last year.
He added, "Kathy Hochul is the worst governor in America."
Hochul responded on social media saying: "This is the same Mike Lawler who caved to Trump the minute he asked to rip away New Yorkers' health care. Of course he doesn't have the spine to face me."
New York State Democratic Party Chair Jay Jacobs released a statement saying, "Mike Lawler caving to Donald Trump before his campaign even starts proves he's too weak to take on Governor Hochul - and he knows it. New Yorkers have seen the real Lawler: the one who voted to gut Medicaid, defund Planned Parenthood, and sell out his district to Trump. They've rejected that agenda, and they'll do it again no matter where his name shows up on the ballot."
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