Rep. Mike Lawler was at the Westchester County Airport on Monday, June 22, along with President Donald Trump’s transportation secretary, Sean Duffy, to tout $18 million in funding from the “Big Beautiful Bill” intended to upgrade the airport’s air traffic control technology.
Following the press conference Lawler, the Rockland Republican who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, was asked about his feelings on today’s Democratic primary to choose his challenger in November’s general election.
In his usual expressive and sardonic manner, Lawler said, “It’s been a clown car of a primary for the Democrats.”
What to watch for in NY-17’s Democratic primary
In the sense that clown cars are traditionally packed with more performers than they should contain, he’s not wrong.
At one point the NY-17 primary was stuffed with seven candidates before narrowing to five who are on the ballot Tuesday.
The top contenders are Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson and Cait Conley, an Army veteran and former national security official in the Biden administration.
Effie Phillips-Staley, who has taken the most progressive lane in the race, could benefit from Conley and Davidson splitting the establishment vote.
A couple of longshots on the ballot are former journalist Mike Sacks and Air Force veteran John Cappello.
For a deeper dive on the contenders, check out my colleague Chris Mckenna’s profiles on each of the candidates.
What did Mike Lawler say about the Democratic primary?
On the eve of the primary, Lawler claimed he doesn’t care who he squares off with in November.
If Lawler doesn’t care, the Republican party certainly does.
A PAC called the Progressive Champions PAC has been running ads that claim, “Cait Conley pocketed over 300 grand from firms supporting the apparatus weaponized by ICE.”
The ads are referring to Conley’s work for two tech companies associated with the immigration enforcement actions. Conley says her work for the companies had nothing to do with immigration.
The White House is also keenly aware of the importance of holding this purple congressional district. Other cabinet members in addition to Duffy, like Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Small Business Administrator Kelly Loeffler and even President Trump himself have all visited NY-17 in recent months.
Lawler said that 14,342 Democrats have voted thus far via absentee and early voting calling that a “paltry” sum.
Check back with lohud.com throughout the night on Tuesday to learn who will be taking on Lawler in this critical race for control of Congress.
Matt Richter, a veteran Hudson Valley journalist, is local news and regional opinion manager for lohud.com and The Journal News. He can be reached at mrichter@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mike Lawler is ready to take on his Democratic challenger | Opinion
Reporting by Matt Richter, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
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By Matt Richter, Rockland/Westchester Journal News | USA TODAY Network
