As a matter of policy, River Journal does not endorse any candidates.
The 17th Congressional District, which includes all or parts of most of the River Towns covered by River Journal, is considered a swing district despite having significantly more Democratic Party registered voters.
Incumbent Mike Lawler, a Republican from Pearl River, is seeking his third, two-year term on Nov. 3. He faces Democrat Cait Conley of Millwood, a West Point graduate with a counterterrorism and cybersecurity background.
The outcome of the race is pivotal because of the potential impact on the slim GOP majority in the House of Representatives.
River Journal asked both candidates to provide responses to the following five questions. Their responses have been edited for length and conformity.
Cate Conley
What are your views on the administration’s immigration policy and the role of ICE in carrying out that policy, both of which have had an impact on a district with large Latino and Haitian populations?
Our immigration system is broken. We need comprehensive reform that focuses on safety and security, not the terrorization of our communities — especially with regard to this administration’s cruel decision to terminate Haitian TPS, which has had a tremendous impact on the Hudson Valley, where the Haitian community is the backbone of our healthcare and caregiving system. In Congress, I will fight to restore Haitian TPS, maintain a secure border, modernize our immigration system to give law-abiding immigrants a path to citizenship, and keep the focus of enforcement where it belongs — on dangerous criminals and human traffickers.
As a member of Congress, what actions would you support in terms of the war with Iran, are you satisfied with the outcome to date, and how do you propose that the administration conclude our involvement?
Donald Trump started a war of choice with Iran — with no clear military objectives, no exit strategy, and no support from the American people or our allies. Over the past seven months, 19 American service members have lost their lives overseas, while the costs of gas, groceries, and other necessities have soared at home. As the death toll has risen,
working families have continued to struggle. The lives of American service members and the livelihoods of working families are not expendable. We must end this reckless war.
The 17th District is one of the most expensive places to live in the nation, with taxes and housing costs that are driving people and businesses out. High everyday prices like gas and groceries are also weighing on folks. What can the federal government do to help make it more affordable to live in the Lower Hudson Valley?
Prices are out of control and taxes keep going up. In Congress, I’ll work to lower the cost of living by delivering tax relief for middle-class families, repealing tariffs that are costing us more, lowering utility bills by fighting for regulations to ensure monopolies don’t pass costs onto ratepayers, and reining in health insurance premiums and prescription drug costs by cracking down on Big Pharma and the insurance industry. I’ll work to bring down housing costs by cutting red tape and institute a loan program to help law enforcement, first responders, teachers, and nurses afford homes in the communities they serve.
Despite the high taxes referenced above, the infrastructure is crumbling, many roads and bridges are in poor shape, and public transportation is not a viable option for many residents. How can the federal government help?
We must act quickly to invest in our infrastructure. It’s critical to lower the cost of everything, from housing to utilities. I will deliver investments to the Hudson Valley for energy, water, sewer, and transportation infrastructure through investments and expanding the federal BRIC grant program. I will work to eliminate red tape that slows projects. To lower utility bills, we must modernize our electrical grid and mandate greater investment by utility companies by tying profits to performance and ending pass-through billing of unnecessary costs like lobbying fees. Rockland doesn’t have a one-seat ride to NYC, and I’ll fight to change that.
Health care costs, including prescriptions, are crippling some families in your district. What measures or proposals do you favor for lowering these costs?
Every American should have the right to access affordable healthcare. Growing up, my dad worked as a construction worker, where his ability to earn a living depended upon his ability to stay healthy, but he could not always afford health insurance. That is unacceptable in America. I will fight to lower healthcare costs for our families by creating a public option for health insurance, reining in abusive policies by insurance companies (like hidden billing and denial of care), reinstating the ACA premium tax credits, cracking down on Big Pharma price gouging, and restoring the cuts to Medicaid.
Mike Lawler
What are your views on the administration’s immigration policy and the role of ICE in carrying out that policy, both of which have had an impact on a district with large Latino and Haitian populations?
I have strongly supported the Dignity Act in Congress since 2023, and I continue to stand by that legislation. We must make the immigration system easier to navigate while upholding our laws and ensuring our border is secure. That legislation would do so. In addition, I’ve fought to extend TPS for the Haitian community in the Hudson Valley and successfully forced a vote on the House Floor to extend TPS. I will continue to work for a bipartisan solution that protects our borders and citizens, ends sanctuary cities, and welcomes those who immigrate to our country legally with open arms.
As a member of Congress, what actions would you support in terms of the war with Iran, are you satisfied with the outcome to date, and how do you propose that the administration conclude our involvement?
I have long said that Iran can never have a nuclear weapon, and I stand by that. I’ve also said we cannot allow Iran to fund terror proxies like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. Thus far, our military engagement in the Middle East has been successful in degrading Iran’s military capabilities, including seriously damaging their proxies, and our blockade has brought Iran’s economy to its knees. Does it need to end? Yes, but not before we ensure they can’t threaten shipping lanes, progress in nuclear research, or harm our allies in the region.
The 17th District is one of the most expensive places to live in the nation, with taxes and housing costs that are driving people and businesses out. High everyday prices like gas and groceries are also weighing on folks. What can the federal government do to help make it more affordable to live in the Lower Hudson Valley?
First and foremost, we can reduce the cost of energy by having a diverse power grid. While some are seemingly opposed to natural gas and nuclear energy, the reality is that these are tried-and-true (and cleaner than oil) methods of producing grid capacity. Second, we can enact permitting reform so projects that boost electrical supply don’t get stuck in a bureaucratic quagmire. Third, we can continue lowering healthcare costs by ensuring government programs serve American citizens who need help. Lastly, we can increase the domestic supply of agricultural goods to make them more affordable.
Despite the high taxes referenced above, the infrastructure is crumbling, many roads and bridges are in poor shape, and public transportation is not a viable option for many residents. How can the federal government help?
That’s a great question for Albany Democrats – who have direct oversight of the New York State Department of Transportation. I’ve long said our roads need to be in better shape and worked to support additional funding for state roads while I was in the State Assembly. Much of that money doesn’t seem to make it onto our roads, save for election years. At the federal level, we need to ensure that funding from the bipartisan infrastructure bill keeps getting delivered to our local communities here in the Hudson Valley.
Health care costs, including prescriptions, are crippling some families in your district. What measures or proposals do you favor for lowering these costs?
To make healthcare more affordable and accessible for families, I have supported a range of policies including by lowering the cost of necessary screenings and procedures, improving medical research, enhancing health savings options, strengthening our healthcare infrastructure, improving healthcare workforce pipelines, ensuring access to family building services, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs, including by reforming PBMs. I have introduced and cosponsored legislation in pursuit of these and more policies and been willing to take on my own party to pursue them.
Election Day 2026: What to Know
- Tuesday, Nov. 3, is Election Day
- Early voting begins on Oct. 24. Visit citizenparticipation.westchestercountyny.gov for details on where and when to cast your ballot.
- Visit house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative to find out if you live in the 17th Congressional District.
- A live, 60-minute debate between Cait Conley and Mike Lawler will be broadcast on WPIX TV, Channel 11, also streaming on PIX11+ and PIX11.com, on Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m.
