Democrats are furious about this.
A rare break within the Democratic Party is drawing attention in one of New York’s closely watched congressional races, after a retiring Democratic lawmaker crossed party lines to endorse Republican Rep. Mike Lawler.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., responded sharply Tuesday after Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, announced that he was supporting Lawler’s reelection campaign instead of Democratic challenger Cait Conley.
The endorsement comes as Republicans and Democrats battle over control of the House in the 2026 midterm elections, making competitive districts such as New York’s 17th Congressional District especially important to both parties.
Jeffries Responds to Golden’s Endorsement
Jeffries made clear that he strongly disagreed with Golden’s decision.
In a statement reported by Fox News Digital, Jeffries called Lawler a “partisan hack” and “Trump sycophant” and argued that Golden’s endorsement would not determine the outcome of the race.
Jeffries said the decision ultimately belongs to voters in Westchester County and the lower Hudson Valley, where Lawler is campaigning for another term in Congress.
He also rejected Golden’s characterization of Lawler as a bipartisan legislator. Jeffries instead praised Democratic challenger Cait Conley, emphasizing her background as a combat veteran.
The exchange puts two Democratic lawmakers publicly at odds just weeks before voters make their decisions in the November midterm elections.
Golden Crosses Party Lines to Back Lawler
Golden, who is leaving Congress when his term ends in January, explained his decision in an opinion piece published Monday.
Rather than supporting his own party’s candidate, Golden argued that his experience working alongside Lawler convinced him that the New York Republican deserved another term.
Golden said representing a competitive congressional district requires lawmakers to work with Americans who have different political views.
He also described Lawler as a congressional colleague willing to work across party lines and encouraged voters to value lawmakers who can cooperate with members of the opposing party.
That makes Golden’s endorsement particularly notable during a midterm election in which control of the House is at stake.
Lawler’s Bipartisan Ranking Draws Attention
Golden pointed to the Lugar Center’s Bipartisan Index to support his argument about Lawler’s record.
The Lugar Center and Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy developed the index to examine congressional bipartisanship by looking at lawmakers’ sponsorship and co-sponsorship patterns.
In its rankings for the first session of the 118th Congress in 2023, the index placed Lawler fourth among House members.
Republican Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania ranked first, followed by Republican Marc Molinaro of New York and Democrat Chris Pappas of New Hampshire. Lawler occupied the fourth position.
Jeffries, however, has disputed the broader characterization of Lawler as bipartisan, arguing that the Republican has failed to demonstrate bipartisan independence on consequential votes.
The disagreement illustrates how lawmakers from opposing sides — and even members of the same party — can interpret a congressional record differently.
Lawler Welcomes Support From a Democrat
Lawler publicly thanked Golden following the endorsement.
The New York Republican said the two lawmakers have worked together during their time in Congress despite representing different states and political parties.
Lawler said they share the belief that serving constituents should come before party considerations and argued that Washington would benefit from more cooperation across the aisle.
Golden similarly described Lawler as a “true partner” during their time in Congress and urged voters to support lawmakers who have demonstrated a willingness to pass legislation with members of the opposite party.
For Lawler, the endorsement provides an unusual example of a sitting Democrat openly supporting a Republican candidate in a competitive House contest.
Why New York’s 17th District Matters
Lawler represents New York’s 17th Congressional District in the Hudson Valley, an area that has attracted national political attention because voters have demonstrated a willingness to support candidates from both parties.
Lawler won reelection in November 2024 even as Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris carried the district, according to reporting on the race.
That ticket splitting has made Lawler’s seat particularly noteworthy heading into the 2026 midterms.
Democrats are backing Cait Conley in their effort to capture the district.
Conley is an Army veteran who has also worked in national security and cybersecurity positions in the federal government.
The contest therefore gives voters a clear choice between a Republican incumbent emphasizing his bipartisan relationships and a Democratic challenger seeking to change the district’s representation.
Golden Has Challenged Democratic Leaders Before
Golden’s decision did not emerge in isolation.
During his time in Washington, the Maine Democrat has repeatedly distinguished himself from Democratic leadership on certain votes and policy questions.
More recently, Golden joined Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., in siding with Republicans on procedural House votes — an unusual move because these votes are traditionally decided largely along party lines.
Jeffries criticized one such move as a “breach of trust.”
Golden has also taken positions on economic policy that have differed from many congressional Democrats, including expressing support for elements of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.
His endorsement of Lawler therefore represents another example of Golden’s willingness to depart from his party.
A Bigger Debate Over Party Loyalty and Bipartisanship
The dispute raises a broader question that extends beyond a single congressional race: How much should party loyalty matter when lawmakers decide whom to support?
Jeffries is working to elect Democrats and gain control of the House. From that standpoint, Lawler’s seat is part of the larger competition between Republicans and Democrats for the congressional majority.
Golden is approaching the race differently.
The retiring Maine lawmaker says his personal experience working with Lawler convinced him that the Republican has earned another term, regardless of their different party affiliations.
Lawler is embracing that argument and presenting Golden’s support as evidence of his willingness to work across the political aisle.
Jeffries strongly disagrees and is standing behind Conley’s campaign.
The result is an unusually public disagreement between Democrats at a consequential point in the 2026 midterm campaign.
Voters Will Have the Final Say
For all the attention surrounding endorsements, party disagreements and congressional rankings, the decision rests with voters in New York’s 17th District.
Golden’s endorsement gives Lawler a prominent cross-party supporter. Jeffries, meanwhile, is making clear that House Democratic leadership remains firmly behind Conley.
As Election Day approaches, the contest will offer voters an opportunity to judge the candidates’ records, priorities and competing arguments for themselves.
What began as one retiring Democrat’s endorsement has now become part of a much larger national debate over bipartisanship, party loyalty and control of the U.S. House.
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