Micah Lasher

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Micah Lasher
Lasher in 2025
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 69th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 1, 2025
Preceded byDaniel J. O'Donnell
Personal details
Born (1981-12-18) December 18, 1981 (age 43)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseElizabeth
Children3
EducationNew York University (BA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Micah C. Lasher (born December 18, 1981)[1] is an American politician serving as a member of the New York State Assembly for District 69. He was previously the director of policy for New York Governor Kathy Hochul and director of state legislative affairs under New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Early life and education

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Micah Lasher grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan.[2][3] He is Jewish.[4]

He graduated from New York University in 2003 with a degree in sociology.[5]

Political career

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In 2001, when Lasher was 19, he managed Brad Hoylman-Sigal's campaign for New York City Council.[2]

Lasher also served as an aide to Congressman Jerrold Nadler and director of state legislative affairs under New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.[2][3] He later became the chief of staff to the New York state Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.[6]

New York Senate campaign

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In 2016, Lasher ran for the New York Senate in the 31st district, where Adriano Espaillat retired to successfully run for the U.S. House. He lost to Marisol Alcantara in the Democratic primary election, who would go on to join the Independent Democratic Conference.[7]

From 2017-2020, Lasher worked as Head of Policy and Communications at Sidewalk Labs.[5]

In November 2021, governor Kathy Hochul appointed Lasher as director of policy.[8] During his tenure, Lasher participated in shaping and implementing state policy following Hochul’s ascension to the governorship after Andrew Cuomo's resignation. He resigned from this role in early 2024 to pursue a campaign for the New York State Assembly.[2][3]

As of 2024, Lasher has served as the chair of the Riverside Park Conservancy, a non-profit organization supporting the maintenance and improvement of Riverside Park.[3][9]

New York State Assembly

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During the 2024 New York State Assembly election, Lasher ran for the 69th district in a crowded five-candidate Democratic primary, securing victory with 52.82 percent of the vote.[2] Lasher's campaign focused on addressing housing affordability, advocating for comprehensive public education reforms, and fostering economic equality. He also proposed solutions for addressing zoning and vacant storefront issues in his district. Lasher received endorsements from local elected officials and organizations, including U.S. representative Jerrold Nadler and Manhattan Borough president Mark Levine.[2][3] He ran unopposed in the November general election.[9] Lasher received $36,486 in campaign funds from the pro-Israel Solidarity PAC.[10]

U.S. House of Representatives race

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Following Jerrold Nadler's retirement announcement in September 2025, it was reported that Nadler plans on supporting Lasher in a prospective primary.[11] Lasher has said that he will “take a very serious look” at a potential candidacy.[12] Then on September 15, Lasher decided to run for Nadler's district.[13][14]

Electoral history

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2016

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2016 New York State Senate election, District 31
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Marisol Alcántara 8,469 32.7
Democratic Micah Lasher 8,175 31.5
Democratic Robert Jackson 7,936 30.6
Democratic Luis Tejada 1,316 5.1
Write-in 26 0.1
Total votes 25,922 100.0

2024

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2024 New York State Assembly election, District 69[15][16]
Primary election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Micah Lasher 7,410 52.6
Democratic Eli Northrup 4,839 34.4
Democratic Carmen Quinones 832 5.9
Democratic Melissa Rosenberg 671 4.8
Democratic Jack Kellner 293 2.1
Write-in 36 0.2
Total votes 14,081 100.0
General election
Democratic Micah Lasher 48,223 99.1
Write-in 434 0.9
Total votes 48,657 100.0
Democratic hold

Personal life

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Lasher lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan with his family.[2] His wife is named Elizabeth, and they have three children.[17]

References

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  1. ^ "Micah Lasher Voter Registration". New York State Voter Records.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Kumar, Arundhati; Blum, Gillian (June 27, 2024). "Lasher Wins 69th District Assembly Primary, Northrup Runner Up in Five-Way Race". West Side Spirit. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  3. ^ a b c d e Saltonstall, Gus (2024-05-30). "A WSR Conversation With Candidate Micah Lasher in the Run-Up to the UWS, Morningside Heights Assembly Election". West Side Rag. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  4. ^ Gilson, Grace (3 July 2025). "A betrayal or politics as usual? A state rep's endorsement of Zohran Mamdani roils Orthodox rabbis on the Upper West Side". JTA. 70 Faces Media. Retrieved 2 September 2025.
  5. ^ a b Lasher, Micah. "LinkedIn Page of Micah Lasher". LinkedIn. Retrieved March 9, 2025.
  6. ^ Parsnow, Luke (January 11, 2024). "Micah Lasher leaves post as Hochul's director of policy". Spectrum News 1 Central New York. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  7. ^ "Alcantara's primary win a major victory for Senate IDC". New York Daily News. September 14, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2025.
  8. ^ "Governor Hochul Announces New Administration Appointments". www.governor.ny.gov. November 21, 2021. Retrieved 2025-03-09.
  9. ^ a b Silva, Manuela. "Micah Lasher wins primary for State Assembly District 69". Columbia Daily Spectator. Retrieved 2024-07-28.
  10. ^ "Pro-Israel PAC Floods Assembly Races With Cash". New York Focus. Retrieved 2025-09-04.
  11. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (September 1, 2025). "Nadler, Pillar of Democratic Party's Old Guard, Will Retire Next Year". New York Times. Retrieved 2025-09-01.
  12. ^ Fandos, Nicholas (September 2, 2025). "A Kennedy, a Protégé and a Progressive Star Eye Nadler's N.Y. House Seat". New York Times. Retrieved 2025-09-02.
  13. ^ "Lasher, Nadler's Protégé, Says He Is Running to Succeed His Mentor". New York Times. September 15, 2025. Retrieved 2025-09-19.
  14. ^ https://www.crainsnewyork.com/politics/politics-could-micah-lasher-easily-win-race-replace-nadler
  15. ^ "Primary Election 2024 - Democratic Member of the Assembly - 69th Assembly District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved July 19, 2024.
  16. ^ "General Election 2024 - Member of the Assembly - 69th Assembly District" (PDF). New York City Board of Elections. Retrieved December 7, 2024.
  17. ^ "Meet Micah Lasher".