Jerry Nadler backs protégé Micah Lasher in NY House race as Nancy Pelosi favors JFK's grandson

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK: Rep Jerry Nadler (D-NY) on Monday, February 9, formally endorsed New York State Assembly Member Micah Lasher, his longtime aide and political protege to succeed him in Congress, in a crowded Democratic primary for the deep-blue Manhattan-area seat.

It came as former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) planned to endorse Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F Kennedy, for the New York House race.

Taking to X, Nadler wrote, “I’m proud and excited to endorse @micahlasher for Congress. He’ll bring a sense of urgency, creativity, and fearlessness to Washington.”

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

Micah Lasher’s record and growing list of supporters

In an endorsement video, Nadler highlighted Lasher’s work on consumer protection, gun violence prevention and mental health funding, while also praising his efforts to push back against President Donald Trump's agenda.

“He emerged as New York’s protector-in-chief against all things Trump,” Nadler said, adding that no other candidate in the race matched the “depth and breadth” of Lasher’s record.

Lasher also secured endorsements from several prominent New York Democrats, including New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, City Council Member Gale Brewer and state Sen Brian Kavanagh.

Nancy Pelosi reportedly set to back Jack Schlossberg

Nadler’s endorsement set the stage for a potential showdown of Democratic heavyweights. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif) reportedly planned to endorse Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F Kennedy, according to a source familiar with the matter.

The New York Times first reported the anticipated endorsement, which could significantly boost Schlossberg’s standing in the race to replace Nadler in New York’s 12th Congressional District.

Schlossberg, 33, is the son of former US Ambassador Caroline Kennedy and has built a large social media following through frequent, combative exchanges with Republican figures and Trump administration officials.

Jerry Nadler questions Jack Schlossberg's experience

Nadler had been openly skeptical of Schlossberg’s candidacy, arguing that the Kennedy heir lacked the experience needed to serve in Congress.

“There’s nothing particularly good or bad about a Kennedy holding my seat,” Nadler previously told CNN. “But the Kennedy, unlike Schlossberg, should be somebody with a record of public service, a record of public accomplishment, and he doesn’t have one.”

In an interview with The New York Times, Nadler also dismissed the candidacy of George Conway, a prominent Trump critic and former husband of Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway, who is running as a Democrat, saying he did not believe New Yorkers would elect a conservative.

A crowded primary with high stakes for Democrats 

The Democratic primary field included multiple state lawmakers alongside Schlossberg and Conway, making the June 23 primary one of the most closely watched intraparty contests in the country.

Nadler announced last September that he would not seek re-election, citing the need for “generational change” after decades of representing the Manhattan-area district.

The general election is scheduled for November 3, but in the heavily Democratic district, the primary is widely expected to determine Nadler’s successor.