4 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Affordability for New York residents.
Protecting immigrants and defending civil rights.
Health care access for all, and reproductive health and freedom.
Public safety and quality of life; strengthening public schools and colleges.
Combating hate crimes and antisemitism, and protecting LGBTQ+ rights.
Climate and environmental protection; holding technology companies accountable and setting AI safeguards; anti-corruption measures.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Member of the New York State Assembly.
Won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary for the open seat.
Is not the incumbent; the sitting member, Jerry Nadler, is not seeking re-election.
Arguments in favor
He has worked inside every level of government this district deals with: legislative affairs director for Mayor Michael Bloomberg, chief of staff to the state Attorney General, policy director for Governor Kathy Hochul, and an assembly member — and he argues that fighting the administration is not enough on its own.
— Micah Lasher's campaign, reported by The Nation
The retiring member whose seat this is endorsed him, having employed him as his top aide two decades ago, and so did Michael Bloomberg and Governor Kathy Hochul. He won a crowded primary with 39%.
— Endorsements and primary result reported by amNewYork and NBC News
Arguments against
A super PAC funded solely by Michael Bloomberg spent more than $7 million to elect him — "it is not about what I own. It is about who owns me." Lasher answers that such spending is "enormously unhealthy for our democracy" but that Bloomberg is a district resident who knows his work, unlike the AI and crypto billionaires who "have an agenda" in Washington.
— Jack Schlossberg, his primary opponent, reported by amNewYork
He attacked a rival over industry money while benefiting from the largest single outside spend in the race, having built his career as an aide to the man paying for it.
— Alex Bores's campaign, in the exchange over super PAC funding reported by City & State New York
What we couldn’t verify
Reported figures for the Bloomberg-funded Stand for New York PAC range from roughly $7 million to close to $10 million; the sources found do not agree.
He has served one term in the State Assembly; no criticism of that record by name was found.
No National Republican Congressional Committee page about him by name was found.
Reducing taxes on work, increasing the supply of affordable housing, targeted deregulation and a balanced budget amendment.
Education quality and affordability — treating, as she puts it, every student like an honours student.
Support for law enforcement and first responders.
Standing with Jewish communities and Israel and combating antisemitism.
Competition and price transparency in health care, and the Access to Breast Cancer Diagnosis Act.
A foreign policy she describes as peace through prosperity.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Attorney at an international law firm; admitted to the bar in New York, Washington D.C., Ohio and Massachusetts and before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Worked at the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, the Bank of Israel in Jerusalem, the Federal Reserve Board of Governors and the Bank for International Settlements in Basel.
Economics degree from MIT; law degree from Harvard.
Won the June 23, 2026 Republican primary.
Has not held elected office.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Shinkle by name could be found: not from Micah Lasher or his campaign, not from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, and not from Manhattan news coverage, which centred on the Democratic primary. Because no case against her exists on the record, none is presented for her either, rather than showing her own campaign's case unanswered.
She is running an explicitly pro-Israel campaign in a heavily Democratic Manhattan seat; prediction markets give her almost no chance.
Her fundraising totals were not reported in material available.
For All of Us line candidate for New York's 12th District in the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
Negron's biography and policy positions could not be established: no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or news profile was located. The positions list is left empty rather than filled with guesses.
No published criticism of Negron by name could be found, and no published case for this candidacy beyond the ballot listing.
Independent candidate for the 12th District, qualified for the November 3, 2026 general election.
We found no published arguments for or against this candidate.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Ortiz by name could be found, and no published case for her beyond her own campaign site. As a candidate with no party organisation behind her she has drawn very little coverage. Because no case against her exists on the record, none is presented for her either.
Her fundraising and any endorsements were not reported in material available.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
This seat is open: Democrat Jerry Nadler, who has served since 1992, is not on the November ballot. Four candidates are: Democrat Micah Lasher, Republican Caroline Shinkle, who also holds the Conservative line, Wilneida Negron on the For All of Us line, and Karen Ortiz on an independent line in her own name. Lucian Wintrich, earlier reported as an independent candidate, was not certified for the ballot. The district covers the East and West Sides of Manhattan. New York allows fusion voting. The 2026 elections use the congressional map enacted on February 28, 2024. Roster checked against the State Board of Elections' certification of November candidates (amended October 7, 2026). No candidate is listed with arguments for or against here: no published criticism of any of them by name from someone opposing them could be found, and setting out a case against one and not the others would tilt the page.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A New York ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at New York State Board of Elections.