Former Rep. Carolyn Maloney is flirting with a political comeback. The 79-year-old Democrat, nudged by supporters, is mulling a run for her old House seat in New York’s 12th District. Her interest follows Rep. Jerry Nadler’s decision to step away from Congress in 2026.
Maloney, a 20-year House veteran, lost her seat to Nadler in the 2022 Democratic primary after redistricting merged their districts. Nadler’s retirement announcement has opened the door for her potential return. The race for this Manhattan seat is already drawing a crowded field.
Nadler, 78, cited a need for “generational change” as his reason for leaving after 34 years. His reference to “watching the Biden thing” suggests a broader frustration with entrenched leadership. Yet, Maloney, just a year older, seems undeterred by the irony of her own age.
“I’m going to keep my options open and my eyes open,” Maloney said on WABC’s “Cats & Cosby Show.” Her indecision reeks of political caution, as if she’s waiting for a divine sign or a pollster’s blessing. Manhattan’s voters, however, may crave fresh faces over familiar names.
Maloney insists she’s been flooded with calls from constituents and elected officials urging her to run. She’s also juggling an upcoming election for mayor, city council, and comptroller on Nov. 5. This hedging betrays a politician more concerned with timing than conviction.
Nadler’s departure has unleashed a scramble for his seat, with names like Assemblyman Micah Lasher, Councilman Erik Bottcher, and former Comptroller Scott Stringer floating as contenders. Nadler reportedly favors Lasher, his former aide, according to the New York Times. Such endorsements often carry the whiff of insider deals, alienating voters tired of political dynasties.
Maloney’s claim that “we don’t need someone who needs an intro to Congress 101” is a sharp jab at younger candidates. It’s a clever pitch, but experience doesn’t always trump energy in a district craving change. Her 20-year tenure might be a badge of honor or a liability in a post-Biden era.
The 2022 primary loss still stings for Maloney, who saw her district carved up by redistricting. That defeat, combined with Nadler’s exit, offers her a shot at redemption. But voters may question whether she’s running for them or for her legacy.
Nadler’s call for “generational change” is a curious backdrop to Maloney’s potential campaign. At 79, she’s hardly the poster child for a youthful overhaul. Her persistence, though, reflects a tenacity that conservatives might admire, even if her politics lean left.
The 12th District race is shaping up to be a political cage match. Lasher, Bottcher, and Stringer each bring their own loyalists and baggage. Maloney’s entry could turn it into a battle of name recognition over new ideas.
Maloney’s supporters argue her experience makes her a steady hand for Congress. Yet, in a city weary of progressive overreach, her long record might invite scrutiny from moderates. The anti-woke crowd will watch closely to see if she panders to the far left.
Nadler’s backing of Lasher suggests a preference for continuity over disruption. But endorsements don’t win elections—voters do. Maloney’s challenge will be convincing a restless electorate that she’s more than a blast from the past.
“People have been calling me, from Washington, electeds and constituents,” Maloney said, hinting at strong support. Yet, those calls may reflect nostalgia rather than a mandate. Manhattan deserves a debate about the future, not a rerun of the 2022 primary.
The Nov. 5 election for local offices will set the stage for 2026’s congressional race. Maloney’s focus on that contest shows she’s playing the long game. Smart, but it risks alienating voters who want commitment now.
New York’s 12th District is at a crossroads. Will voters embrace Maloney’s experience or demand a new direction? In a political climate skeptical of establishment figures, her comeback bid is a gamble worth watching.
