U.S. Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has thrown her support behind former Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) in the critical New York’s 17th Congressional District race. Jones, a prominent Democrat, is set to face off against Liz Whitmer Gereghty, a small business owner and sister of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer (D), in the primary battle to challenge GOP Rep. Mike Lawler (N.Y.).
Pelosi’s endorsement carries considerable weight in what is anticipated to be a hotly contested primary, making her the most prominent Democrat to take a stand in this race. Jones, expressing his gratitude on social media, stated, “Honored to be endorsed by Speaker Pelosi! Last term, Democrats rescued the economy from collapse, capped drug costs for seniors, and passed gun reforms. By contrast, Mike Lawler’s MAGA Republicans can barely keep the lights on. Democrats must retake the House to continue our work.”
This endorsement comes after Pelosi previously supported Jones in the previous election cycle when redistricting forced him to compete in New York’s 10th Congressional District—an open primary at that time—where he ultimately lost to Rep. Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.).
In response to Pelosi’s endorsement, Lawler, Jones’ Republican opponent, took a swipe at the House Speaker, stating, “I’m proud to have helped end Nancy Pelosi’s reign as Speaker of the House. Enjoy her endorsement @MondaireJones—it didn’t help you when you ran in New York City last year, and it won’t help you in the Hudson Valley next year.”
Lawler’s victory last year, where he defeated former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D-N.Y.), was seen as a significant win for the GOP, particularly as Maloney served as the chair of the House Democrats’ campaign arm at the time. Lawler’s seat is currently rated as a “toss-up” by the nonpartisan election handicapper Cook Political Report.
Pelosi’s endorsement of Mondaire Jones signals a crucial development in the New York’s 17th Congressional District race, emphasizing the high stakes and fierce competition expected in the upcoming primary. As the race intensifies, political observers closely watch the dynamics, anticipating a closely contested battle for this pivotal House seat.
