A former conservative attorney who later became one of President Donald Trump’s most outspoken critics is now running for Congress—as a Democrat.
George Conway, once a well-known figure in conservative legal circles, officially entered the Democratic primary this week for New York’s 12th Congressional District. The seat is being vacated by longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler, who announced his retirement after more than three decades in office.
The Manhattan-based district is considered one of the safest Democratic seats in the country. Nadler, who has represented the area since 1992, stepped aside amid growing pressure within the Democratic Party for older lawmakers to make room for younger candidates.
Conway’s entry into the race marks a dramatic political evolution.
Earlier in his career, Conway was closely aligned with conservative legal causes. He worked on the legal team for Paula Jones during her sexual-harassment lawsuit against then-President Bill Clinton and was an active member of the Federalist Society, an influential organization tied to originalist and constitutionalist legal philosophy.
In recent years, however, Conway became nationally known for his repeated public attacks on President Trump. That shift drew particular attention because his then-wife, Kellyanne Conway, served as a senior adviser in the Trump White House. The couple announced their divorce in 2023.
Conway later helped form the Lincoln Project, a well-funded political organization that actively opposed Trump and supported Democratic messaging during recent election cycles.
Records from the Federal Election Commission indicate that Conway formally established his main campaign committee in New York City on Monday, confirming his entry into the Democratic primary, which is expected to draw a large field of candidates.
The campaign website listed on the filing was not active as of Monday afternoon.
At least a dozen candidates have expressed interest in the seat. Among the most prominent is Jack Schlossberg, the 32-year-old grandson of John F. Kennedy.
Other declared or potential candidates include Cameron Kasky, a gun-control activist associated with March For Our Lives, as well as New York State Assembly members Micah Lasher and Alex Bores.
ABC News legal analyst Jami Floyd and New York City Council member Erik Bottcher have also entered the race, underscoring the intense competition for a seat Republicans are unlikely to challenge in the general election.
