With every dysfunctional day that passes in Washington, D.C., one thing is clear: Democrats need to send our very best to Congress next year. That means making the right choices in Democratic primaries this year and elevating a new generation of leaders to take the fight to Republicans in Washington. That’s why I’m urging Manhattan Democrats to join me in supporting Micah Lasher for Congress.
Micah Lasher will bring two things to Congress that are really important: He has a proven record of taking on powerful interests to protect New Yorkers, our rights, and our values, and he has the rare ability not just to come up with new, progressive policy ideas, but to turn them into law.
While serving as chief of staff for the New York Attorney General, Micah led the way in holding the powerful to account and was the driving force behind landmark investigations into fossil fuel companies, abusive landlords, and corporate misconduct. In the wake of a devastating rise in police-involved deaths, Micah also pushed for the Attorney General’s office to have expanded power to investigate and prosecute these cases, to ensure that justice would be served.
As policy director for Gov. Kathy Hochul, Micah fought to make state government deliver for everyday New Yorkers. He spearheaded efforts to invest billions of dollars in affordable housing, and wrote a Fair Housing plan that the New York Times described as “the first serious attempt by a New York governor since the 1960s to challenge” discriminatory zoning policies throughout the state. Micah also helped New York codify abortion rights after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, fully fund our public schools, and index the minimum wage to inflation.
In the State Assembly, Micah has emerged as the leading force protecting New Yorkers from the current federal administration, standing up for our rights and values, and defending vulnerable communities. When the feds threatened to withhold federal funding from the state, Micah introduced the RECOURSE Act to empower New York to do the same.
When the governor of Texas changed that state’s congressional lines to deliver five seats to the Republicans, Micah introduced a constitutional amendment for New York to fight fire with fire. When the White House began to roll back anti-discrimination housing protections, Micah made sure they were enshrined into our state law. As ICE terrorized communities across the country, Micah stood up for our immigrant neighbors and introduced the two leading anti-ICE bills in New York, prohibiting warrantless arrests at schools, hospitals, and houses of worships, and allowing New Yorkers to hold individual ICE agents accountable in a court of law when they violate our civil rights.
Finally, Micah is someone who always puts the fight, and the mission, before himself. He spent 15 years as a volunteer board member for the Community Service Society, fighting for antipoverty initiatives and investments in communities too often ignored. In 2016, he finished a close second in a campaign for a state Senate seat in Manhattan, losing to a candidate run by the Republican-allied Independent Democratic Conference (IDC). Instead of running again two years later, Micah stepped aside and supported Robert Jackson. Together, Micah and Robert helped defeat the IDC. Senator Jackson has been serving the people of Northern Manhattan in Albany ever since.
Micah Lasher is someone who will know what to fight for, and how to do so effectively. He’ll build strong coalitions and represent not just the needs of the 12th District, but its values, too. I am proud to endorse Micah and join a remarkable coalition of leaders — including the man he is running to succeed, Congressman Jerry Nadler — who know he is the right leader for this moment. In every way, I know Micah Lasher is ready for the fight ahead of him and will make New York proud in Washington.
David Paterson is the former governor of New York.