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Pearl River, NY – 1/22/2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler called on each and every NY-17 Democratic candidate to immediately and unequivocally denounce radical calls from NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, made yesterday on “The View,” to abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and block cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. At a Clarkstown Democratic Committee candidate forum, Cait Conley suggested “ICE can’t operate without a budget”, and Mike Sacks called to defund ICE, echoing Mamdani’s statement. As of January 2026, according to the White House, nearly 1.9 million illegal aliens have self-deported, and over 675,000 have been removed, over 70% having a conviction or pending criminal charges.

“Let me be very clear,” said Congressman Lawler. “Sanctuary state and city policies that prohibit local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are wrong, and they are dangerous. Anyone who supports codifying Sanctuary policies and defunding ICE is detached from reality.”

“This is not an abstract policy debate. Ending cooperation with ICE makes our communities more dangerous by allowing repeat offenders, gang members, and violent criminals to slip through the cracks. My Democratic opponents owe voters a clear answer: do they support Mayor Mamdani’s support of abolishing ICE and promoting sanctuary policies that let violent criminals and gang members run freely around New York?” added Lawler. “Yes or no?”

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Pearl River, NY – 1/20/2026… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler released a statement unapologetically condemning a television ad airing in NY-17 by the Institute for Middle East Understanding (IMEU) and calls on all candidates in NY-17 to immediately denounce this ad.

“This ad is a disgrace,” Congressman Lawler said. “The IMEU attacks anyone who stands with Israel, opposes terrorism, refuses to bow to their radical agenda, and traffics antisemitic tropes.”

“This kind of politics has no place in the Hudson Valley. I am calling on every candidate running in NY-17 to publicly and unequivocally denounce this ad immediately. Silence is an endorsement,” concluded Lawler.

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CONTACT: [email protected]

Pearl River, NY – January 14, 2025 … The Lawler for Congress campaign today announced a dominant and historic fourth-quarter fundraising performance, cementing Congressman Mike Lawler as the clear frontrunner in New York’s 17th Congressional District and putting Democrats on notice early.

The campaign will file $1.25 million raised in Q4 2025, an extraordinary off-election-year total that more than doubles the fundraising of one of the leading Democratic candidates in the race. At a point in the cycle when most challengers are still introducing themselves, the Lawler campaign has already built a decisive financial edge. Cycle-to-date, the campaign has raised nearly $5.2 million and enters 2026 with a commanding $3.5 million cash on hand, giving Congressman Lawler unmatched resources to communicate his record and define the race on his terms.

The numbers represent not only dominance over the current field but also a historic acceleration compared to the campaign’s prior cycle. At the same point in 2024, the campaign had raised $3.2 million, with $2.5 million in cash on hand—making the current haul a clear signal of growing momentum and expanding support. That strength is powered by a broad, energized, grassroots coalition of 20,311 individual donors this cycle, underscoring deep enthusiasm across the district and strong bipartisan confidence in Congressman Lawler’s leadership.

“These numbers send a blunt message: Congressman Lawler is winning—and building a campaign that Democrats cannot catch,” said Ciro Riccardi, Campaign Manager for Lawler for Congress. “In an off-election year, we are shattering records, expanding our grassroots base, and stockpiling the resources needed to win decisively in 2026. This level of early support is historic for NY-17 and reflects the results-driven, bipartisan coalition Congressman Lawler continues to grow.”
 

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New City, NY – 12/8/25… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign responded to Democratic congressional candidate Beth Davidson’s Italian cooking segment, the most catastrophic use of an Instant Pot since the dawn of electricity.

During the segment, Davidson prepared the dish in an Instant Pot rather than using traditional stovetop methods and failed to brown the meatballs in the pan before adding them to the sauce, a foundational step that infuses the dish with the flavor developed from the fond. Viewers were left wondering whether she had ever visited New York, met an Italian American, or eaten Italian food.

“Beth Davidson is running a cookie-cutter, press-and-pray campaign that’s losing steam by the day. When she skipped browning the meatballs, it reminded a lot of us of how she approaches everything: no depth, no preparation, and zero understanding of the process,” stated Ciro Riccardi, campaign manager for Lawler for Congress. “Watching her cook was like watching her try to explain the federal budget: just throw it all in a pot and hope it comes out edible.”

“Beth Davidson keeps insisting she’s running a serious congressional campaign, but unfortunately, much like those meatballs, it just keeps falling apart under the slightest pressure. Even her opponents in the Democratic clown car primary — some of the most chaotic candidates we’ve seen in years — are starting to pass her in the polls. When you’re losing ground to candidates who write manifesto-length Facebook posts for fun, it might be time to rethink the strategy,” concluded Riccardi.

 

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Pearl River, NY – November 6, 2025… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler slammed New York Democrats for attending the lavish SOMOS Puerto Rico Conference while New York families face skyrocketing costs of living and a state government shutdown.

The 2025 SOMOS Conference, hosted this year at the upscale Caribe Hilton in San Juan, features days of luxury events and political panels led by top Albany Democrats, including Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. The conference schedule lists nearly a hundred sessions on extreme partisan topics like “Disentangling NY from Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Agenda” and “Colonialism, Resistance, and Solidarity: Puerto Rico & Palestine,” leaving out any mention of the affordability crisis or government waste.

“If Zohran Mamdani is truly serious about helping working families, he wouldn’t be jetting off to a luxury resort the moment he wins an election,” said Lawler. “Are Chuck Schumer, Kirsten Gillibrand, Hakeem Jeffries, and Kathy Hochul attending too? And if so, why? Who’s looking out for New Yorkers while they’re on the beach? Why are Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand going on vacation after voting to shut down the government 14 times?”

“Instead of voting to reopen the federal government and deliver relief to New Yorkers, they’re working on their tans. It’s a disgrace—and why New Yorkers are leaving this state in droves. I’m calling on every reporter covering SOMOS to demand answers from these Democrats. Ask them why they’re partying in Puerto Rico while New Yorkers are suffering through an affordability crisis and a government shutdown. The public deserves to know where their priorities really lie,” concluded Congressman Lawler.

Read more in Fox News here: https://www.foxnews.com/politics/mamdani-slammed-jetting-luxury-resort-puerto-rico-conference-during-shutdown

 

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Pearl River, NY – October 27, 2025… The Lawler for Congress campaign slammed Democrat Effie Phillips-Staley after she authored an outrageous Lohud op-ed accusing Israel of “genocide” — parroting the same anti-Israel talking points pushed by the far-left fringe and Hamas apologists. The campaign called on all Democrats running in New York’s 17th Congressional District to tell voters where they stand.

“This is disgraceful,” said Chris Russell, spokesman for Lawler for Congress. “To accuse Israel, one of the United States’ closest allies, which is defending itself from terrorists who butchered innocent men, women, and children, of committing ‘genocide’ is vile and dangerous. She owes every Jewish family in the Hudson Valley an apology. And every Democrat running in NY-17 needs to tell voters if they agree with her.”

The Lawler campaign is demanding that the press hold each Democrat accountable—Beth Davidson, Cait Conley, Mike Sacks, John Sullivan, John Cappello, Jessica Reinmann, and Peter Chatzky—and force them to answer this question on the record.

“Peter Chatzky already said it — he thinks Israel’s committing genocide and wants an arms embargo,” Russell added. “Now the rest need to answer the same questions — clearly and publicly:

1. Do you agree with Effie Phillips-Staley and Peter Chatzky that Israel committed genocide?
2. Should Hamas disarm, yes or no?
3. Are you refusing campaign money from AIPAC, or are you just too scared to say it?

Beth Davidson and Cait Conley already proved they’re scared of their radical left base, refusing to comment to Politico when Chatzky pledged to refuse AIPAC money. The media needs to continue doing their job and keep asking these questions,” continued Russell. “Do they support Israel’s right to defend itself, or do they stand with the radicals chanting in the streets for Hamas?”

“Congressman Lawler has been unequivocal: Hamas is a terrorist organization that must be destroyed, and Israel has every right to defend itself,” Russell concluded. “The Democrats running against him are twisting themselves in knots to appease their far left base for votes — and they need to come clean and pick a side. The people of New York’s 17th District deserve to know exactly who they’re voting for.”
 

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Pearl River, NY – October 24, 2025… Today, Congressman Mike Lawler blasted Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for endorsing self-proclaimed socialist Zohran Mamdani, calling on every Democrat running for Congress in New York’s 17th District to tell voters exactly where they stand.

“Hakeem Jeffries just endorsed Zohran Mamdani — a self-described socialist who’s spent his career attacking the NYPD, defending criminals, and demonizing Israel,” said Congressman Lawler. “Every single Democrat running for Congress in New York needs to be put on the record: do you stand with Jeffries, Hochul, and Mamdani, or with the hardworking New Yorkers who want safe streets, affordable communities, and sanity back in government? There’s no hiding on this one.”

Lawler specifically called on Beth Davidson, Cait Conley, Mike Sacks, Effie Phillips-Staley, John Sullivan, John Cappello, and Jessica Reinmann — the Democrats vying to run against him who have remained silent — to publicly declare whether they support Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and whether they would vote to make Hakeem Jeffries Speaker of the House if elected.

“So far, only Peter Chatzky has been honest enough to admit he supports Mamdani,” Lawler added. “The rest are ducking and dodging while their party lurches further left. The press needs to do its job and ask each of them — yes or no — whether they endorse Zohran Mamdani for mayor and whether they would vote for Hakeem Jeffries as Speaker. The people of the Hudson Valley deserve a straight answer.”

“Voters are tired of politicians who talk moderation but bow to the radicals in their party when it counts. New Yorkers want leaders who back the police, stand with Israel, and fight for safe, affordable communities — not those who enable chaos and socialism,” concluded Lawler. 

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Pearl River, NY – October 8, 2025… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign announced their strongest off-year Q3 haul, raising approximately $1.1 million and ending the quarter with $2.8 million in cash on hand. Powered by nearly 10,000 donations, the campaign continues to build the broad, bipartisan coalition needed to win and deliver for the Hudson Valley. Year-to-date, the campaign has raised over $3.9 million, shattering records set last cycle. 

“The results are crystal clear: our message is winning and our ground game is unmatched,” said Chris Russell, spokesman for Lawler for Congress. “Meanwhile, the Democrats vying to run against us keep sprinting left. Just look at Peter Chatzky, a candidate defined by radical anti-Israel positions and his endorsement of Zohran Mamdani, totally out of touch with Hudson Valley families who want common-sense leadership that delivers tangible results, not performative extremism. 

“While our opponents trip over themselves to appease a far-left base, Mike Lawler is building a coalition of working families, labor, law enforcement, Republicans, independents, and mainstream Democrats who are fed up with chaos politics and radical extremists. Congressman Lawler delivered on SALT, secured historic tax relief for middle and working class families, and will keep focusing on common-sense solutions that make life more affordable and Hudson Valley communities safer,” concluded Russell.

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Pearl River, NY – September 8, 2025… Today, the Lawler for Congress campaign slammed Peter Chatzky for embracing the radical, anti-Israel agenda of Zohran Mamdani — an extreme position that is completely out of touch with Hudson Valley voters.

In a recent interview with Jewish Insider, Chatzky accused Israel of violating U.S. arms sales law and suggested America should suspend arms sales to our closest ally in the Middle East. He also refused to clearly condemn Zohran Mamdani, a self-proclaimed socialist who has refused to disavow calls to “globalize the intifada,” instead claiming Mamdani has “tremendous support” and “understands” how to protect Jewish New Yorkers.

“Peter Chatzky can’t have it both ways,” said Lawler for Congress spokesman Chris Russell. “You can’t call Israel a critical ally one minute and then accuse it of breaking U.S. law and call for suspending arms sales the next. And you can’t claim to stand against antisemitism while cozying up to Zohran Mamdani, a radical who refuses to disavow extremist calls for violence.”

“New York’s 17th District has one of the largest Jewish constituencies in the country. Voters here know who stands with Israel and who doesn’t. Congressman Mike Lawler has been unwavering in his support for Israel and in fighting antisemitism, while Peter Chatzky is openly embracing positions that put him far outside the mainstream. The bottom line is simple: Peter Chatzky is way too radical for the Hudson Valley,” concluded Russell. 

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Thursday, August 21, 2025

Pearl River, NY… In case you missed it, on Monday, Nick Reisman at Politico reported on Lawler for Congress unveiling a 5-figure digital ad campaign promoting the wins delivered for middle and working-class families in the One Big Beautiful Bill. 

Politico: Why this swing seat House member is doubling down on Trump’s megalaw

Rep. Mike Lawler is releasing a series of ads highlighting aspects of the law as Democrats look to flip his seat.

By Nick Reisman

NEW YORK — Republican Rep. Mike Lawler is betting big on President Donald Trump’s controversial megalaw — embracing the tax-and-spend package with a series of five ads as he runs for reelection in a pivotal swing district.

The commercials represent the first time that any House Republican — no less a vulnerable one like Lawler — is touting the measure on the airwaves directly to voters, according to the House GOP’s campaign arm. And he’s focusing on Medicaid provisions in the law that he expects will prove popular, countering Democratic attacks over health care spending cuts.

“The reason why Democrats are messaging the way that they are is because they’re trying to frame this as they often do — class warfare — as opposed to the specifics,” Lawler said in an interview. “It’s important as we head toward next year to not lose the message on this, but actually explain it to voters in a way that they understand.”

The tactic is a gamble for a battleground district lawmaker whose election next year is considered crucial for maintaining GOP control of the House. If successful, the move stands to become a national blueprint for selling voters on the sweeping legislation, which polling suggests is broadly unpopular.

Lawler will unveil the ads today, which trumpet the measure for having “strengthened the Medicaid program” through work requirements for adult recipients and prohibiting undocumented immigrants from “ripping off New York taxpayers.”

A different ad highlights lifting the cap on state and local tax deductions from $10,000 to $40,000. The change is a key measure that blue state Republicans, including Lawler, pushed for in negotiations. Another ad touts an increase to the child tax credit and eliminating taxes on Social Security for many recipients — all framed as a way to address affordability concerns.

In another spot, Lawler says he voted for the legislation “because it invests in Main Street, not Wall Street” by lowering federal tax rates and making it easier for businesses to be passed down.

Lawler’s campaign said about “five figures” will be spent on the ads, which will appear on digital platforms like YouTube.

He believes Republicans need to set the terms of the debate now, more than a year before the midterm elections.

“You have to be on offense, you have to be explaining what you did and why and articulate the case,” Lawler said. “The progressive left is never going to support anything Republicans do. I had folks booing tax cuts, but they’re going to benefit from it as well. It comes down to the middle and where does the middle fall.”

Click HERE to read the full article.  

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