Micah Lasher, a self-described policy nerd and longtime political operative, has won the Democratic primary in New York's 12th Congressional District, defeating Jack Schlossberg, a heir to the Kennedy political dynasty, among other candidates. The Associated Press called the race Tuesday evening, handing Lasher a decisive victory in the Manhattan-based district.
Lasher's win represents a triumph for the city's institutional Democratic machine over the star-power of the Kennedy name. The contest was widely viewed as a test of whether family legacy could overcome deep-rooted local political networks in a district that includes the Upper West Side and parts of Harlem.
Schlossberg, who had campaigned heavily on restoring the “Camelot” era of Democratic politics, failed to translate strong name recognition into votes. According to The New York Times, the defeat “dampens the dream of a renewed Camelot,” as the Kennedy family has not sent a member to Congress from New York in decades.
The result also signals continuity for the seat, which was vacated by longtime Representative Jerry Nadler. Lasher has pledged to focus on progressive priorities such as housing affordability and climate policy, aligning himself with Nadler's legacy. The general election in November is considered safe Democratic territory.