George Conway eyes Manhattan congressional seat as Democrat

Hold onto your hats, folks—George Conway, the once-Republican lawyer who became a vocal thorn in Donald Trump’s side, is now aiming for a congressional seat as a Democrat in Manhattan.

Conway, known for co-founding The Lincoln Project to oppose Trump, recently filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission to explore a run for New York’s 12th Congressional District, a seat soon to be vacated by Rep. Jerrold Nadler, as New York Post reports.

This isn’t just a casual pivot; Conway, a 62-year-old Harvard and Yale graduate, is stepping into a crowded Democratic field that includes names like Jack Schlossberg, grandson of JFK, and Cameron Kasky, a gun control activist.

From Republican Roots to Democratic Ambitions

Let’s rewind a bit—Conway’s journey is a curious one, having been married for over two decades to Kellyanne Conway, a key figure in Trump’s campaign and White House, before their divorce in 2023.

Early on, he was reportedly a Trump supporter, even considered for solicitor general in the first Trump administration before stepping back from the role, which ultimately went to Noel Francisco.

But tensions brewed, especially as Kellyanne stayed loyal to Trump while George grew critical, a rift that became public with heated exchanges like one in 2019 where he reportedly told her, “You have ruined yourself and you have embarrassed this family.”

Family Drama Meets Political Shift

Kellyanne fired back in that same argument, per her 2022 memoir, claiming he “abandoned me for Twitter and she’s not even hot,” a jab that paints a messy picture of personal and political divides.

Shortly after that 2019 clash, Conway helped launch The Lincoln Project, a group of anti-Trump Republicans, though he later called for its dissolution in 2021 over sexual harassment allegations against a co-founder, John Weaver.

By 2020, both Conways stepped away from their political roles temporarily to focus on family, a rare moment of unity before their eventual split.

Critics Question Conway’s Democratic Credentials

Now, as Conway eyes the NY-12 seat from his residence in Trump World Tower at UN Plaza, skeptics are raising eyebrows about his sudden blue turn in a district long held by progressive stalwart Nadler.

Democratic consultant Chris Sosa didn’t mince words, stating, “George Conway is a conservative corporate lawyer with no record of public service in New York City or commitment to the values of Democratic voters.”

Sosa’s critique stings with a fair point—Conway’s career has been steeped in conservative circles, including a leadership role in Yale’s Federalist Society, hardly a resume that screams progressive champion.

Can Conway Win Over Manhattan Voters?

While one can admire Conway’s courage in standing up to Trump, as Sosa noted, running as a Democrat in this deep-blue district feels like a stretch, perhaps even a calculated play rather than a heartfelt shift.

The field is already packed with contenders like state Assemblymen Alex Bores and Micah Lasher, not to mention Councilmember Erik Bottcher, who shifted his ambitions to a state Senate run after Conway’s filing.

Conway’s past, from splitting time between New Jersey and D.C. during his marriage to now residing in Manhattan, might not convince voters he’s truly one of them—though his anti-Trump bona fides could sway some in a city that’s no fan of the former president.