After a report that former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney (D) is considering challenging Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) in the midterms, the Hudson Valley representative sarcastically weighed in on the prospect of a rematch with the man he unseated four years ago.
“I’m sure Democrats are excited about the prospects of Sean Patrick Maloney making a come back — because it worked out so well the last time,” Lawler wrote on social platform X.
Maloney served five terms in Congress before being unseated by Lawler in an expensive 2022 race. His loss for New York’s 17th Congressional District seat was all the more stunning because he was the head of the campaign arm for House Democrats at the time.
Axios reported Monday that Maloney is weighing whether to challenge Lawler, but he would likely not make a decision until the fall. He is also reportedly considering a run for governor.
In his post about Maloney, Lawler included a video edit of him posing with Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) set to the Dr. Dre song “The Next Episode,” wearing meme sunglasses and a gold chain.
At least six Democrats are already vying for the seat, seen by many in the party as a prime pickup opportunity for the 2026 midterms. The 17th District is one of three that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris but are represented by Republicans.
The GOP will seek to defend its 220-212 majority, which allowed it to muscle the “big, beautiful bill” through Congress and to President Trump’s desk. Democrats, meanwhile, are hoping that opposition to Trump and backlash to the bill’s cuts to social services and tax breaks favoring the rich will enable them to flip key districts.
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