Rep. Jerry Nadler (D), who has held the seat since 1992 and beat Carolyn Maloney in the 2022 member-vs-member primary after redistricting merged Manhattan's east and west sides, announced his retirement in September 2025. He endorsed his former aide, Assembly member Micah Lasher, on Feb 9, 2026. Ten Democrats qualified for the primary ballot; the contest has drawn national attention for its celebrity entrants (Jack Schlossberg, George Conway) and heavy outside spending.