Trump critic George Conway takes steps to run for New York City congressional seat

George Conway, a former conservative lawyer who emerged as one of Donald Trump’s most vocal critics, has taken formal steps toward running for Congress in a high-profile New York City district.

Conway filed paperwork Monday to run as a Democratic candidate in New York’s 12th Congressional District, adding his name to an increasingly competitive race for the Manhattan-based seat being vacated by longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler. While Conway has completed the initial filing requirements, he has not made an official announcement about his candidacy, and his campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

The potential run marks a significant political evolution for Conway, who initially supported Trump early in his presidency. At that time, Conway was married to Kellyanne Conway, who served as a senior presidential adviser in the Trump White House and was one of the administration’s most visible defenders.

However, as Trump’s presidency progressed, George Conway’s position dramatically shifted. He began publicly criticizing the president with increasing frequency and sharpness on social media and in television appearances. The political divide between the Conways became a notable Washington subplot, with George condemning the president’s actions often with the same intensity that Kellyanne defended them.

Conway later helped establish the Lincoln Project, an organization of former Republicans dedicated to preventing Trump’s reelection in 2020. The group became known for its provocative advertisements and social media campaigns targeting the former president and his allies. The Conways announced their divorce in early 2023, closing a chapter on one of the capital’s most politically divided marriages.

If Conway officially enters the race, he will join a field that already includes several high-profile candidates. John F. Kennedy’s grandson, Jack Schlossberg, announced his intention to run for the seat in November, leveraging the Kennedy family’s enduring political brand. Micah Lasher, a former aide to Rep. Nadler who currently serves as a New York state lawmaker, has also declared his candidacy.

New York’s 12th District is considered a Democratic stronghold, making the primary contest particularly important in determining who will likely represent the area in Congress. The district encompasses some of Manhattan’s wealthiest and most politically active neighborhoods, stretching from Union Square to the northern edge of Central Park and including both the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.

Nadler’s retirement comes after a long tenure representing Manhattan in Congress. The veteran lawmaker, who chairs the House Judiciary Committee, has been a prominent voice in Democratic politics and played a key role in both impeachment proceedings against former President Trump.

Conway’s potential run represents another chapter in the ongoing realignment of American politics in the post-Trump era. Once a traditional conservative lawyer who was considered for high-ranking positions in the Trump Justice Department, Conway has become emblematic of the faction of Republicans who broke with the party over Trump’s presidency.

Political analysts suggest Conway’s candidacy could test whether voters in the heavily Democratic district would embrace a former Republican who built his recent public profile largely on opposition to Trump. His candidacy would also raise questions about how much his anti-Trump activism might resonate in a primary where voters may prioritize progressive policy positions and local issues over national political fights.

The Democratic primary for the 12th District is expected to draw significant attention as one of the most closely watched congressional races in New York City in the 2024 election cycle.