Cait Conley
Candidate, NY-17 · Democratic · New York
Cait Conley is the Democratic nominee for New York’s 17th Congressional District, a West Point graduate, 16-year Army combat veteran, and former National Security Council counterterrorism director challenging Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in a marquee swing seat.
Profile last updated Sep 6, 2026 · Center Field Politics
Summary
A national-security-credentialed Democrat in one of the most competitive House races in the country (D+1). No governing record yet, so record-based stats are N/A by design.
Recent Action
Won a crowded five-way June 2026 Democratic primary to challenge Rep. Lawler.
Where They Stand
Stances on the issues many voters care most about. Where a candidate has not given a clear answer we mark it "Mixed / Partial" or "Unclear" rather than guess. Positions are drawn from official records and bias-labeled news sources; they are descriptive only and are never scored.
Environment—Supports3
Climate protections and regulation versus fewer climate-related regulations on industry.
Backs federal climate investment, clean-energy incentives, and emissions limits.
Healthcare—Supports3
Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.
Supports expanding coverage and protecting the Affordable Care Act.
Second Amendment—Supports3
New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.
Supports expanded background checks and other firearm-safety measures.
Immigration—Supports3
Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.
Supports comprehensive reform, including a pathway for Dreamers.
Roe v. Wade—Supports3
Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.
Supports codifying abortion access protections into federal law.
National Security—Mixed / Partial3
Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.
Favors diplomacy and congressional authorization over unilateral escalation.
Party Loyalty
No voting record yet; loyalty cannot be measured.