Another Democrat is jumping in the 2026 race for Rep. Mike Lawler’s seat.
Peter Chatzky, a tech company founder and deputy mayor of his Westchester County village, is now the seventh to declare his candidacy for New York’s 17th Congressional District. The Westchester native and father of four grown children filed his federal paperwork last week and announced his campaign on Wednesday, June 4.
He’s touting his experience in business and local government and pitching himself as a “tough candidate who can actually win” a battle for a coveted Hudson Valley swing district. He’s the founder and CEO of a financial technology company called Napa Group LLC, and he has served for six years as a village trustee in Briarcliff Manor after an earlier two-year stint as mayor.
“I know how to build coalitions and deliver demonstrable results,” Chatzky said in a statement. “The success and security of my constituents, my employees, and my family has driven every decision I’ve made. That’s the background and spirit I’ll bring to Congress.”
Who else is running for Mike Lawler’s seat in 2026?
Chatzky has plenty of company in his quest for the nomination. The other contenders are:
Still more are testing the waters. Besides the seven candidates now officially in the race, four others who may run are taking part in a series of candidate forums held by Westchester County Democratic Committee. The next two are on June 5 and June 12.
Lawler, a Rockland County Republican, has won the 17th District twice and has said he will decide this month whether to seek a third term or run for governor instead next year. He holds a critical seat that will help decide if Republicans keep their narrow House majority or Democrats wrest it from them in the 2026 elections.
Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Seventh Democrat running for Mike Lawler’s Hudson Valley seat: Who is Peter Chatzky?
Reporting by Chris McKenna, New York State Team / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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