New York Rep. Mike Lawler’s Campaign Tactics Raise Eyebrows Amidst Far-Right Associations
New York Representative Mike Lawler, who is campaigning for reelection in the 17th District as a moderate, is drawing attention for his alignment with prominent far-right figures and supporters of the MAGA movement.
The 17th District, encompassing parts of the Hudson Valley, saw Lawler secure his second term by a margin of just under 16,500 votes in the previous election, a district where President Donald Trump was defeated.
On October 23, Lawler hosted a fundraiser in Monsey, NY, alongside Texas Senator Ted Cruz. According to GovTrack, Cruz ranks as the third most conservative senator in the nation. The Houston Chronicle notes Cruz’s ongoing efforts to dismantle the Affordable Care Act, known as Obamacare.
Footage from Monsey Scoop captured Lawler and Cruz greeting guests at the event, where ticket prices ranged from $250 to $7,000.
A few weeks later, Lawler organized another fundraiser at the Putnam County Golf Course, featuring Ohio Representative Jim Jordan, who serves as the deputy chair of the far-right House Freedom Caucus.
In 2023, the Freedom Caucus proposed a budget plan advocating for substantial cuts to Medicaid and SNAP benefits. Although this budget was not enacted, its principles were later integrated into Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), which Lawler supported.
Lawler has extended his support to far-right political candidates, actively participating in their campaigns.
Last month, he joined a rally to boost voter turnout for New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli. Ciattarelli’s campaign has voiced support for OBBB, aligned with anti-vaccine advocates, and disseminated misinformation about immigrants and transgender athletes. Additionally, he campaigned alongside far-right conspiracist Jack Posobiec.
Ciattarelli was ultimately defeated in the November 4 election by Democrat Mikie Sherrill.
Recently, Lawler endorsed Representative Elise Stefanik in her campaign for New York governor. Lawler, who once contemplated his own gubernatorial run, had previously criticized Stefanik as too extreme to succeed. Stefanik has advocated for a nationwide abortion ban, the repeal of Obamacare, and pardons for individuals involved in the January 6 Capitol riot.
Stefanik’s campaign has received the endorsement of Donald Trump.
“Mike Lawler will toss New Yorkers aside in a heartbeat if it keeps him in Donald Trump’s good graces,” said Riya Vashi, a spokesperson for the DCCC. “From enabling Trump’s extreme agenda to backing his dangerous ‘Ultra MAGA’ ally in New York for Governor, Mike Lawler keeps reminding Hudson Valley voters exactly who he works for — and it’s certainly not them.”
Several Democrats have announced their candidacies to challenge Lawler in the upcoming election.
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