New York 12th District
Jerry Nadler (D) is not running again. 4 candidates were on the ballot on November 3, 2026.
Who should win this race, and why?Say what you think. Other readers can answer you.Discuss
Micah Lasher
Democrat · state assemblymember, former Hochul policy director
FLiberty Score F48 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Lasher has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Lasher.
Raised $3,493,974 since January 2025: 83% from people, 14% the candidate’s own money, 1% transfers and other income. The filing at FEC.gov
Caroline Shinkle
Republican · corporate lawyer, former central bank intern
ALiberty Score A100 out of 100 across 4 principles. Graded on what Shinkle has said and done, because I have no votes in Congress to count for Shinkle.
Raised $272,963 since January 2025: 89% from people, 10% the candidate’s own money, 1% from PACs and other committees. The filing at FEC.gov
Higher on Liberty Score: Caroline Shinkle. Caroline Shinkle: A, 100 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count. Micah Lasher: F, 48 out of 100 from words and actions, with no votes in Congress to count.
Voting in New York: how to register, vote early or vote by mail. Election Day was November 3.
Side by side
A solid letter is a grade from recorded votes on that principle. An outlined letter is on the same scale, for a candidate with no votes: it comes from what that candidate has said and done, and every source is listed below.
Micah Lasher, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Lasher, so the grade above comes from this list: what Lasher has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
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At a forum he called the war in Iran reckless.
“reckless”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Condemning the strikes on the regime is on the against side of the Iran regime measure.
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Asked how he would have voted on Senate resolutions to block certain weapons sales to Israel, he said he would not have supported them.
“i don't believe it would have actually improved the lives of people on the ground, and it would have contributed to the status of israel as a pariah state”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing a cut-off of weapons sales to Israel is with liberty on free nations.
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His foreign policy page says he will work to rebuild alliances with NATO members and other democracies.
“work to rebuild and strengthen our alliances with nato members and other democratic nations.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing NATO is with liberty on free nations.
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His platform says he will push to pass Medicare for All or a similar universal plan.
“push to pass medicare for all, or a similar plan that ensures universal care.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Government-run health care for all is against liberty on free markets.
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His platform says he will repeal federal tax breaks for the rich.
“repeal trump's tax breaks to the rich”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Raising taxes on high earners is against liberty on free markets.
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His foreign policy page says he will fight to repeal the president's tariffs.
“fight to repeal donald trump's irresponsible and vindictive deployment of tariffs, which are raising costs and directly causing harm to u.s. small businesses.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Opposing broad tariffs is the mirror of praising them, which is against liberty on free markets.
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His campaign platform lists abolishing ICE among what he will do in Congress.
“fight to abolish ice.”
- By the test I use for votes
- Against liberty
Abolishing ICE is against liberty on borders.
Caroline Shinkle, on the record
I have no votes in Congress to count for Shinkle, so the grade above comes from this list: what Shinkle has said and done on my principles. Each line has its source, and each is marked with the same test I use for votes.
-
Asked about the war with the Islamic Republic, she said the Islamic Republic cannot be allowed to develop nuclear weapons and described the current US action as addressing that at its root.
“so iran cannot ever develop nuclear capabilities. and what we're doing right now is trying to address that issue at the root source.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing American action against the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme is on the with side of this measure.
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Her campaign site says she will stand with Israel, which it calls an ally.
“unapologetically stand with the jewish community of new york city and our ally israel”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Treating Israel as an ally is with liberty on free nations.
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In an interview she said New York City must not become the center of global socialism.
“it cannot become the center of global socialism.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Saying no to socialism is with liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site proposes reducing the federal income tax on W-2 wages.
“protect the paycheck - allow people to keep more of what they earn by reducing the federal income tax on w-2 wages.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
A named tax cut is with liberty on free markets.
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Her campaign site calls for supply-side solutions to housing and rejects price controls.
“supply-side solutions, not communist price controls.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Rejecting price controls is with liberty on free markets.
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Asked about ICE, she said it is enforcing federal law and the focus should be on removing dangerous people who are here illegally.
“ice is enforcing federal law.”
- By the test I use for votes
- With liberty
Backing enforcement of immigration law and removal is with liberty on borders.
Also on the ballot
Wilneida Negron (Independent), Karen Ortiz (Independent).
Who is on the ballot: the state election offices, as listed on Wikipedia on November 3, 2026, checked against the candidate file of the Federal Election Commission. See a name that is wrong or missing? Say so in the discussion.
Who should win this race, and why?
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Discussion
New York 12th District
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