After a two-year fight to protect New York’s elections from spoiler candidates and defend the Working Families Party ballot line, WFP-endorsed Cait Conley is likely to defeat Republican incumbent Mike Lawler
Tonight, while we wait for every vote to be counted, the New York Working Families Party (NYWFP) celebrates the historic election of Cait Conley to Congress in New York’s 17th Congressional District, flipping a critical battleground seat from Republican to Democratic control and defeating incumbent Republican Mike Lawler.
Conley’s likely victory marks a historic turning point in one of the most competitive congressional districts in the country, delivering a major defeat to MAGA Republicans and helping build a new Democratic majority in the House of Representatives. It is also a testament to the power of the Working Families Party’s independent ballot line and years of organizing to ensure that New Yorkers have the opportunity to elect champions who will fight for working people.
This victory follows a sustained, two-year effort by NYWFP to protect the integrity of New York’s elections and defend its independent ballot line from efforts to manipulate the electoral process. In 2025 and 2026, the Party helped lead the fight to change state law to prevent spoiler candidates from exploiting New York’s ballot access rules, protecting voters from efforts to divide the electorate and undermine competitive elections. These reforms helped safeguard the Working Families Party’s ability to endorse Cait Conley and build a united coalition to defeat Mike Lawler.
“Cait Conley’s projected victory is a powerful rejection of MAGA extremism and a testament to what is possible when we organize, fight, and build political power together,” said Jasmine Gripper, State Director of the New York Working Families Party “For two years, the Working Families Party fought to protect our ballot line and stop political operatives from using spoiler candidates to manipulate our elections. We fought to make sure voters in NY-17 had a real choice, and tonight, they chose Cait Conley. This victory proves that our independent ballot line is not just a tool for electing candidates. It is a powerful vehicle for defeating the right and building a government that works for working people.”
“Mike Lawler and his Republican allies put the interests of Donald Trump and the billionaire class ahead of working New Yorkers. Tonight, voters rejected that agenda,” continued Gripper. “While we wait for every vote to be counted, we believe Cait Conley will be a champion for working families, fighting to lower costs, protect healthcare, defend our democracy, and stand up to the powerful interests that have rigged our economy against everyday people. We are proud of the coalition that made this victory possible, and ready to work alongside her to deliver real change.”
The Working Families Party proudly endorsed Conley as part of its ambitious statewide electoral program to flip competitive congressional seats, strengthen its independent ballot line, and elect candidates committed to delivering for working families. Across NY-17, NYWFP worked alongside labor unions, community organizations, and grassroots activists to mobilize voters, build a broad coalition, and make the case for a new generation of leadership in Washington, DC.