Jerry Nadler endorses Micah Lasher for NY District 12 against Dem favorite Schlossberg

“Since I announced that this term would be my last, people naturally ask who I believe is the best candidate to succeed me,” Nadler said in a recorded statement. “As the field has taken shape, one candidate by every measure stands above the rest: Assembly member Micah Lasher.”

https://twitter.com/JerryNadler/status/2020843523185008919?s=20

Nadler praised Lasher’s record, saying, “He’s emerged as New York’s protector-in-chief against all things Trump, and drafted the blueprint for what Democratic-led states can do to fight back.”

Lasher currently serves parts of the Upper West Side in the state Assembly and first entered public service as an aide in Nadler’s congressional office. He later worked in former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s City Hall and went on to become a senior policy adviser to Gov. Kathy Hochul, per the New York Post.

Reacting to the endorsement, Lasher said, “Jerry Nadler has set an incredibly high bar for decades for smart, principled, progressive leadership on issue after issue. I’m honored beyond words to have his support.”

https://twitter.com/MicahLasher/status/2020844128930791750

The backing from Nadler could play a big role in the primary as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is expected to support rival candidate Jack Schlossberg.

When he was asked about Schlossberg, Nadler said, “He’s a nice guy, and he comes from a nice family, but what’s his experience for this job? No, I don’t think people ought to support him. I don’t think they will support him.” Schlossberg is also the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy.

City Comptroller Mark Levine, Council Member Gale Brewer, and state Sen. Brian Kavanagh have also endorsed Lasher. Nadler revealed last fall that he would retire at the end of his current term in Congress.