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 Oct 25, 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.

Limited Data / New Political Candidate

Healthcare—Supports3

Expanding healthcare coverage for all versus expanding market-based, private insurance.

Supports expanding coverage and protecting the Affordable Care Act.

Limited Data / New Political Candidate

Second Amendment—Supports3

New firearm regulations versus no new firearm regulations.

Supports expanded background checks and other firearm-safety measures.

Limited Data / New Political Candidate

Immigration—Supports3

Pathways to citizenship versus a closed-border approach.

Supports comprehensive reform, including a pathway for Dreamers.

Limited Data / New Political Candidate

Roe v. Wade—Supports3

Protecting access to abortion versus restricting access to abortion.

Supports codifying abortion access protections into federal law.

Limited Data / New Political Candidate

National Security—Mixed / Partial3

Whether diplomacy or military strength should be the primary national-security priority.

Favors diplomacy and congressional authorization over unilateral escalation.

Limited Data / New Political Candidate

Party Loyalty

No voting record yet; loyalty cannot be measured.

On the 2026 Ballot

Sources

  1. Cait Conley for Congress — campaign site
  2. AP — New York policy coverage
  3. Ballotpedia — Cait Conley
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