Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg endorsed his former aide, state Rep. Micah Lasher, in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th Congressional District on Thursday. Bloomberg cited "extraordinary challenges both at home and abroad" as reasons New Yorkers need experienced representatives. The endorsement comes as multiple candidates compete for the seat in one of the nation's most Democratic districts.
The Bloomberg endorsement carries significant weight in New York politics, potentially providing Lasher with crucial financial backing and establishment credibility in a crowded primary field. The 12th District race will help determine the Democratic Party's future direction in urban constituencies, with implications for progressive versus moderate positioning heading into the 2026 midterms.
Meanwhile, Scott Kelly, twin brother of Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly, harshly criticized the White House over a social media video celebrating joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran. The former astronaut called the administration's approach "some big f—ing joke" and referenced American service member casualties, highlighting tensions within Democratic ranks over Middle East policy messaging.
The criticism from Scott Kelly, while not representing his senator brother's official position, reflects broader concerns among military families and veterans about the administration's communication strategy on foreign conflicts. Public opinion on U.S. involvement in Middle East operations remains divided, with implications for Democratic messaging in competitive districts.
Separately, Rep. Joyce Beatty's legal challenge against Trump and the Kennedy Center faced embarrassment when her invitation to a key meeting was found in her spam folder, undermining her lawsuit's central claims about being excluded from deliberations.