Politics

Democrat Cait Conley challenges incumbent Republican Mike Lawler in New York's 17th District

The race in the suburban Hudson Valley district is expected to play a key role in deciding control of the U.S. House.

Updated Aug 25, 2026 · 15:25 UTC1 reports

The short version

Democrat Cait Conley, a military veteran who won her primary in June, is challenging two-term incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District.
Key campaign issues include high grocery prices, national economic policy, immigration enforcement, federal term limits, and foreign policy.
The candidates are scheduled to participate in their first debate at the end of September.

Democrat Cait Conley, a combat veteran and former military police officer, won the Democratic primary in June to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in New York's 17th Congressional District.[ABC News]
Rep. Lawler originally flipped the Hudson Valley seat in the 2022 midterm elections.[ABC News]
Lawler has recently hosted Trump administration figures in the district, including President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and has received endorsements from multiple law enforcement organizations.[ABC News]
Conley supports 12-year term limits for members of Congress and 18-year limits for Supreme Court justices, and she advocates for reforming ICE to focus enforcement on violent criminals.[ABC News]
Lawler opposes ending temporary protected status for Haitians while supporting ICE operations and advocating for New York to end sanctuary policies.[ABC News]
The candidates' first debate is scheduled for the end of September.[ABC News]

The exact date and host format for the scheduled late-September debate have not been specified.[ABC News]