George Conway, the lawyer and vocal critic of former President Donald Trump, has officially entered the race for a coveted US House seat in New York, setting up a dramatic Democratic primary contest.
A Crowded Field for a Manhattan Seat
Conway filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Monday, 22 December 2025, declaring his candidacy for New York's 12th congressional district. The seat is being vacated by the long-serving Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler, who is retiring.
The 62-year-old joins an exceptionally crowded field of about a dozen candidates vying to represent the district, which covers a large section of Manhattan. Notable contenders include Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of former President John F. Kennedy, gun safety activist Cameron Kasky, and New York State Assemblyman Micah Lasher.
From Conservative Lawyer to Democratic Candidate
Conway's decision to run as a Democrat underscores a significant political evolution. A graduate of Yale Law School, he began his career working on high-profile conservative cases, most notably representing Paula Jones in her lawsuit against President Bill Clinton.
His personal and political life has been deeply intertwined with the Trump era. His ex-wife, Kellyanne Conway, managed Trump's 2016 campaign and served as a White House counsellor during his first term. Conway was offered a role in Trump's administration but declined. The relationship between Conway and the former president deteriorated sharply, leading to frequent public feuds on social media where Trump labelled Conway a "whack job" and Conway called the president "nuts."
Since 2019, Conway has been a consistent thorn in Trump's side, co-founding the anti-Trump Republican PAC The Lincoln Project. He ultimately endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024. Conway and Kellyanne divorced in 2023 after 22 years of marriage.
The Road to the Primary
In a recent episode of his podcast on The Bulwark, Conway hinted at his congressional ambitions, stating the move would be "either the stupidest thing I’ve ever done, or the best thing. We’ll see." A source close to Conway told NBC News, "George is a seasoned fighter against Trump and Trumpism, and he’s considering taking that fight to Congress."
The Democratic primary for the seat is scheduled for June 2025, with the general election to follow in November. Conway, who currently resides in Maryland, has reportedly been seeking an apartment within the New York district to establish residency.
This primary is set to be one of the most closely watched in the country, not only for its high-profile candidates but also as a bellwether for the Democratic Party's direction in a post-Trump political landscape.
