A look at key endorsements in NY-12 Democratic congressional primary
It’s rare for powerful members of Congress to face potent primary challenges, but due to redistricting, the two titans of Manhattan are now in a fight for their political lives as to who will win NY-12′s Congressional District on Tuesday.
New York Democrats Rep. Jerrold Nadler, 75, and Rep. Carolyn Maloney, 76, have each represented Manhattan-area districts in Congress for 30 years but have gone from allies to rivals after their Upper West Side and Upper East Side districts were drawn together under new maps.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. (left) and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y.(right) (Mary Altaffer/)
Nadler and Maloney chair the powerful House Judiciary and Oversight committees, respectively.
Another Democrat, 38-year-old attorney Suraj Patel, is also running in the primary race and hopes to knock out both opponents who have been in office since 1992.
New York Voter Guide: What to know for the Aug. 23 primary
Rep. Jerrold Nadler
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) recently announced his endorsement of Rep. Jerrold Nadler, as a “critical partner” who “was right on the issues years before so many others.”
“New York has a lot of outstanding leaders, but few of them lead with the courage, conviction and brilliant legislative effectiveness of my friend, Jerry Nadler,” Schumer said.
Schumer’s backing comes on the heels of Nadler winning an endorsement from The New York Times ahead of the Aug. 23 primary. The newspaper’s endorsement carries a lot of weight in deep-blue New York City, but is expected to be especially decisive in a contest featuring two veteran lawmakers.
The Daily News has refused to take sides, urging readers to “Limit New York’s losses to one experienced committee chair. Vote for Maloney or Nadler, or Nadler or Maloney.”
Closer to home, New York City Controller Brad Lander endorsed Nadler as well as three Assembly members, three state senators and two City Council members.
Nadler has also won the endorsement of the Working Families Party and the Human Rights Campaign, which supports LGBTQ rights.
He also has backing from local 1199, which represents thousands of health care workers, and Randi Weingarten, the president of the powerful American Federation of Teachers.
Rep. Carolyn Maloney
Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State, offered praise for Rep. Carolyn Maloney over the weekend saying, “I want people who work and get stuff done... That’s what Carolyn Maloney has done from the very beginning of her time in public service.”
Maloney prides herself on having a good relationship with neighborhood political activists, and her endorsement list reflects the backing of six state Assembly members, double the tally for Nadler.
The former New York City Councilwoman and school teacher also claims the backing of no fewer than nine Manhattan Democratic clubs, including the LGBTQ powerhouse, Stonewall Democrats.
The congresswoman made a not-so-veiled reference to sexism in a statement to Politico. “For much of my career, I’ve been the only woman in the room. And though we have made so much progress, the old boys club remains strong,” Maloney said.
She’s also received support from NOW NYC, feminist icon Gloria Steinem, and Emily’s List, which supports women candidates.
Incredibly grateful to have trailing blazing women like @GloriaSteinem on my side in this election.
Early voting ends on Sunday, August 21 and polls open at 6AM on Election Day, Tuesday August 23. #NY12 pic.twitter.com/CJncAMR6xH— Carolyn B. Maloney (@CarolynBMaloney) August 19, 2022
Suraj Patel
Democratic candidate Suraj Patel has no endorsement list on his campaign site. However, in June former Democratic presidential candidate and New York City mayoral candidate Andrew Yang announced his support for Patel, who worked on President Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns and in his White House.
Attorney Suraj Patel, right, speaks to a voter while campaigning, Tuesday, Aug. 16, 2022, in the Upper East Side neighborhood of Manhattan in New York. Patel is running against Rep. Carolyn Maloney and Rep. Jerry Nadler in New York's 12th Congressional District Democratic primary which will be held on Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer) (Mary Altaffer/)
Suraj Patel, who is running for Congress, just got engaged
Patel unsuccessfully challenged Maloney in 2018 and 2022 and says Nadler and Maloney are “career politicians” who are not entitled to any seat.
