Rep. Jerry Nadler’s retirement bombshell has unleashed a frenzy among Manhattan’s political climbers. The 34-year veteran of Congress announced Monday night he won’t seek reelection, leaving a gaping hole in New York’s 12th District, as City & State NY reports. His exit signals the end of an era and the start of a cutthroat race.
Nadler, a fixture in Manhattan politics, is stepping down after decades of service, triggering a scramble among younger Democrats to claim his seat. Assembly Member Micah Lasher, City Council Member Erik Bottcher, and Assembly Member Alex Bores are already jockeying for position. The district, a liberal stronghold, faces a future shaped by this power shift.
Nadler shared his decision with the New York Times, setting off immediate speculation about his successor. Lasher, a 43-year-old Upper West Side and West Harlem assemblyman, is the early favorite, backed by Nadler’s blessing and deep local ties. Yet, the progressive wing’s obsession with ideological purity could complicate his path.
Lasher’s resume screams establishment: former aide to Nadler, Michael Bloomberg, and Gov. Kathy Hochul. His leadership at StudentsFirst NY, a pro-charter school group, has drawn progressive ire, but his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani shows he’s not afraid to play the political game. Critics of woke education policies might find his charter school stance refreshing.
“Like a son to Jerry,” an unnamed politico gushed to City & State about Lasher’s bond with Nadler. This cozy relationship might secure him institutional support, but it’s a double-edged sword in a district wary of insider deals. Lasher’s pro-Israel stance could further alienate the Democratic Socialists’ anti-Israel crowd.
Lasher’s vocal criticism of the Democratic Socialists’ anti-Israel rhetoric sets him apart in a party increasingly tangled in identity politics. His support for Israel resonates with Manhattan’s pro-Israel Jewish voters, a key demographic. But navigating the progressive minefield will test his political agility.
Assembly Member Alex Bores, a 30-something software engineer, is another contender itching to replace Nadler. Representing Manhattan’s East Side, Bores has pushed AI regulation bills, signaling a tech-savvy approach that contrasts with Lasher’s old-school connections. His youth and outsider vibe could appeal to voters tired of entrenched elites.
“From the NY Assembly to Congress, Nadler has always led with conviction,” Bores tweeted, praising the retiring congressman. Nice words, but they mask a calculated move to cozy up to Nadler’s base while Bores plots his own ascent. His tech background might not sway voters more concerned with bread-and-butter issues.
City Council Member Erik Bottcher, 46, is also circling the seat, balancing his current reelection campaign for Greenwich Village, Chelsea, and Hell’s Kitchen. A veteran of LGBTQ+ advocacy and former aide to Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Bottcher brings a progressive resume that could clash with anti-woke sentiments. His ambition is clear, but splitting focus between campaigns might backfire.
“Let us honor Jerry’s legacy by carrying his fight forward,” Bottcher declared in a statement. That sounds noble, but his call to “advance equality” and “defeat fascism” reeks of the same tired progressive buzzwords that turn off common-sense voters. Bottcher’s record on identity politics may not sit well with those craving practical governance.
“From protecting democracy to defeating fascism, we must take his work further,” Bottcher added. Such rhetoric might energize the left, but it risks alienating moderates who see “fascism” as a catch-all for anyone who disagrees with them. His focus on social issues could overshadow broader district needs.
Bottcher’s experience under Corey Johnson and Cuomo gives him political chops, but his progressive credentials might not translate to congressional clout. He succeeded Johnson in the City Council after term limits forced Johnson out. Now, Bottcher’s eyeing a bigger prize, but he’ll need to broaden his appeal.
Liam Elkind, a 26-year-old nonprofit founder, is the only declared primary challenger so far, but his youth and lack of name recognition make him a long shot. Other rumored candidates include City Council Members Keith Powers and Julie Menin, state Sen. Liz Krueger, former FTC chair Lina Khan, and Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal. This crowded field promises a messy, divisive primary.
Nadler’s exit could ripple beyond Congress, potentially triggering special elections for the 47th state Senate District and Assembly District 74. State Sen. Brad Hoylman-Sigal and Assembly Member Harvey Epstein are likely to win Manhattan borough president and City Council seats, respectively, in November. Their departures would open more seats, fueling further political chaos.
Lasher and Bottcher were once eyeing Hoylman-Sigal’s Senate seat, while Powers had his sights on Epstein’s Assembly seat, but Nadler’s retirement has upended those plans. The scramble for power in Manhattan reveals a Democratic Party grappling with its identity -- caught between establishment loyalists and progressive purists. Voters, wary of woke overreach, will decide who can cut through the noise.
