George Conway, a former conservative attorney who became a vocal opponent of Donald Trump, has taken steps toward a congressional campaign in New York City as a Democrat, a source familiar with the matter confirmed.
FEC Filing Indicates Intent
Although Conway has not officially announced his candidacy or spoken about it publicly, documents submitted to the Federal Election Commission on Monday reveal his intention to compete in the Democratic primary for the 12th Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Democratic Representative Jerry Nadler, who is not running for re-election.
“George is a seasoned fighter against Trump and Trumpism, and he’s considering taking that fight to Congress. Today, he filed paperwork that is a prerequisite to run. He will have more to say in the new year after the holidays,” the source close to Conway said.
In a Substack post later on Monday, Conway wrote, "I’m going into the arena," without directly confirming his campaign plans. He added, "I’ve already put my money where my mouth is, but now it’s time to lay it all on the line."
Competitive Primary Field
The Democratic primary in this strongly Democratic district includes several contenders, such as former Merrill Lynch managing director Alan Pardee, Kennedy family member and liberal commentator Jack Schlossberg, state Assembly members Micah Lasher and Alex Bores, gun safety advocate Cameron Kasky, and journalist Jami Floyd, a former White House fellow under President Clinton.
Candidates are required to file with the FEC upon reaching certain fundraising or organizational thresholds, though this does not always lead to a formal campaign launch.
Political Shift and Background
Conway's move to run as a Democrat highlights his departure from the Republican Party. Early in his career, he worked on notable conservative legal cases, including Paula Jones' lawsuit against President Bill Clinton. He was reportedly considered for a role in Trump's first administration, while his then-wife, Kellyanne Conway, served as Trump's 2016 campaign manager and a senior White House adviser.
He began to publicly clash with Trump during the president's first term, engaging in social media disputes that drew attention due to his wife's position. Conway co-founded the anti-Trump Lincoln Project, which he has since left, but remains an outspoken critic in media circles.
Conway and Kellyanne Conway divorced in 2023.
