NY-17: Lawler Will Seek Re-election to House, Forgoing Run for N.Y. Governor
Representative Mike Lawler, Republican of New York, plans to seek re-election in his crucial Hudson Valley swing seat next year rather than run for governor, he told The New York Times on Wednesday.
Mr. Lawler had been openly exploring a campaign against Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, for months. Many Republicans viewed the congressman, who has consistently won in a Democratic-leaning district, as their most viable candidate in a left-leaning state.
But with Republicans preparing to defend a minuscule House majority, he was under intense pressure from President Trump and congressional allies to run for re-election. The president made his views clear in a private meeting at the White House last week, according to a person familiar with the conversation.
“While I fundamentally believe I am best positioned to take on Kathy Hochul and offer New Yorkers a real choice for governor, I have made the decision to run for re-election to the House and continue the important work I’ve been doing over the past two and a half years,” Mr. Lawler said.
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/23/nyregion/mike-lawler-governor-reelection.html?smtyp=cur