The New York Democratic machine is at it again, folks. Governor Kathy Hochul has thrown her full weight behind Micah Lasher, her former policy director and longtime political insider, to replace the retiring Jerry Nadler in what's shaping up to be one of the most telling races of 2026.
Make no mistake – this isn't about finding the best candidate for Manhattan's 12th Congressional District. This is about keeping the swamp creatures in power and ensuring the radical left's stranglehold on New York politics remains unbroken.
Lasher isn't some fresh face bringing new ideas to Congress. He's a career political operative who's spent years crafting the very policies that have driven businesses and families out of New York at record rates. As Hochul's policy director, he was instrumental in implementing the disastrous bail reform laws, the anti-business regulations, and the green energy boondoggles that have made New York one of the most expensive and dangerous states in America.
The Establishment Circles the Wagons
What we're witnessing is the Democratic establishment closing ranks to protect their power structure. Nadler's retirement after decades of pushing radical leftist policies creates an opportunity for real change – but Hochul and her cronies won't let that happen without a fight.
"This endorsement shows exactly what's wrong with New York politics," said one political observer who requested anonymity. "It's all about who you know and which palms you've greased, not about representing the people."
The crowded primary field means voters will have choices, but with Hochul's political machine backing Lasher, he'll have access to the governor's extensive donor network and party apparatus. That's how the swamp perpetuates itself – by rigging the game before it even begins.
While President Trump works tirelessly to drain the swamp in Washington, places like New York continue to prove that the deep state runs deep at every level of government. The question for Manhattan voters is simple: Do you want another puppet of the Democratic machine, or are you ready for real change?