Mike Lawler: Difference between revisions

Mike Lawler
Mike Lawler
	Official portrait, 2023
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives; from New York's 17th district
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; January 3, 2023
Preceded by	Mondaire Jones
Member of the New York State Assembly; from the 97th district
	In office; January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022
Preceded by	Ellen Jaffee
Succeeded by	John W. McGowan
Personal details
Born	Michael Vincent Lawler; September 9, 1986 (age 38); Suffern, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Doina
Relations	Traugott Lawler (great uncle)
Children	2
Residence(s)	Pearl River, New York, U.S.
Education	Manhattan College (BS)
Signature
Website	House website
	Mike Lawler's voice Mike Lawler questions witnesses on the New York-New Jersey Watershed Protection Act; Recorded July 27, 2023

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Michael Vincent Lawler (born September 9, 1986) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 17th congressional district since 2023. From 2021 to 2022, he was a Republican member of the New York State Assembly from the 97th district in Rockland County.

Early life and education

Lawler was born and raised in Suffern, New York. He graduated from Suffern High School.^[1]

Lawler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Manhattan College in 2009 and was named valedictorian of his graduating class.^[2]^[3]

Career

Lawler co-founded the political communications firm Checkmate Strategies in 2018.^[4] He previously worked in the Westchester County Executive's Office as an advisor to Rob Astorino and as executive director of the New York State Republican Party. He also previously served as deputy town supervisor of Orangetown, New York.^[5] Additionally, Lawler served as a Republican convention delegate for Donald Trump in 2016.^[6]

Lawler was elected to the New York State Assembly in 2020 for a two-year term, defeating Democratic incumbent Ellen Jaffee.^[7]^[8]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2022

Lawler was the Republican nominee in the 2022 general election in New York's 17th congressional district, having won the August 2022 primary. He narrowly defeated Democratic incumbent and DCCC chair Sean Patrick Maloney in the November general election.^[9]^[10]^[11]

2024

On November 5, 2024, Lawler was re-elected to the United States House of Representatives in the 17th Congressional district of New York, besting his opponent, Democratic nominee Mondaire Jones, by approximately seven percentage points.^[12]

The New York Times said Lawler was "openly entertaining a bid for governor in 2026" while running for re-election to Congress.^[13]

On October 3, 2024, The New York Times discovered resurfaced photos of Lawler wearing a Michael Jackson costume that included blackface in 2006 at a Manhattan College Halloween party. In response, Lawler said that his costume was intended to be "truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom's kitchen. The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind."^[14] It was also reported that in 2005, J. Randy Taraborrelli, a Michael Jackson biographer who helped get Lawler into the courtroom for Jackson's trial, recalled that Lawler, then a senior in high school and "young fan" of Jackson had been "so disgusted" by testimony against Jackson "that he couldn't help but mutter something derogatory under his breath." Lawler was later removed from the courtroom.^[14]

Tenure

On January 4, 2023, Lawler called then-newly sworn Representative George Santos's conduct "embarrassing and unbecoming" and "certainly a distraction".^[15] On January 12, he called for Santos to resign.^[16]

Lawler voted for Kevin McCarthy in the 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election. McCarthy was unable to win the speakership on the first 14 ballots. Lawler said of the matter, "It's time for everybody to unify. It's time for everybody to move forward because the reality is the American people didn't elect us to fight over rules."^[17]

On January 9, Lawler voted in favor of the House rules package.^[18] Afterward, he gave his first House speech, in favor of a bill that would defund the IRS of the money allocated in the Inflation Reduction Act.^[19]

Lawler was one of five Republicans to vote against the Parents' Bill of Rights in March 2023, and the only Republican not part of the Freedom Caucus to vote against it.^[20] He co-sponsored the bill, but said he decided not to vote for it after an unspecified amendment "went too far".^[21]

On June 21, Lawler voted with 212 other House Republicans in favor of the censure of Rep. Adam Schiff.^[22]^[23]

Along with Claudia Tenney, Lawler introduced a bill to prohibit Washington, D.C., from adopting ranked-choice voting.^[24]

For much of 2023, Lawler had a policy of banning television news cameras from his town hall meetings; he rescinded the ban in early 2024.^[25]^[26]

Caucus memberships

Committee assignments

Political positions

Lawler is a moderate centrist politician.^[29]^[30]^[31]

In 2024, Lawler was rated as the fourth most bipartisan member of the U.S. House during the 118th United States Congress in the Bipartisan Index created by The Lugar Center and the McCourt School of Public Policy.^[32]

Abortion

Lawler opposes a federal ban on abortion. He is pro-life except in cases of rape, incest, or if the mother's life is at risk.^[33]

Congestion pricing

In 2023, Lawler opposed a plan by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to enact congestion pricing in Manhattan, New York City, one of the most traffic congested areas of the world.^[34] The plan would charge most cars $15 per day to drive in Manhattan below 60th Street. Lawler said that the congestion pricing plan was not intended to reduce congestion, but was instead an "outrageous cash grab."^[35]^[36] In 2024, he asked president-elect Donald Trump to kill the congestion pricing plan once he gets into office.^[37]

LGBT rights

Lawler stated on Twitter in December 2022 that he would have voted to pass the Respect for Marriage Act if he was in office at the time.^[38]

2024 presidential election

Lawler voted for Trump in the 2024 Republican primary in New York.^[39]

Lawler was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter in which they pledged to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.^[40]

Personal life

Lawler lives in Pearl River with his wife, Doina, and their two daughters.^[41]

Lawler is Catholic.^[42] He is of Irish and Italian descent.^[43]

Electoral history

New York State Assembly District 97, General Election 2020^[44]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Mike Lawler	26,527	46.27	+17.91
	Conservative	Mike Lawler	2,697	4.70
	Independence	Mike Lawler	315	0.55
	SAM	Mike Lawler	397	0.69
	Total	Mike Lawler	29,936	52.22
	Democratic	Ellen Jaffee	27,359	47.72	−17.9
	Total	Ellen Jaffee (incumbent)	27,359	47.72
	Write-in		35	0.06
Total votes			57,330	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic		Swing	+35.81

New York's 17th congressional district, Primary Election 2022
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Mike Lawler	11,603	75.8
	Republican	William Faulkner	1,772	11.6
	Republican	Charles Falciglia	1,310	8.6
	Republican	Shoshana David	444	2.9
	Republican	Jack Schrepel	176	1.1
Total votes			15,305	100.0

New York's 17th congressional district, General Election 2022^[45]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Sean Patrick Maloney	130,999	45.6
	Working Families	Sean Patrick Maloney	8,083	2.8
	Total	Sean Patrick Maloney (Incumbent)	139,082	48.5
	Republican	Mike Lawler	124,148	43.3
	Conservative	Mike Lawler	17,573	6.1
	Total	Mike Lawler	141,721	49.4
	Write-in		5,885	2.0
Total votes			286,688	100.0
	Republican gain from Democratic

References

^ "LAWLER, Michael 1986 –". Retrieved November 20, 2024.
^ Michael Lawler Commencement Speech. Michael Lawler. January 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via YouTube.
^ "Mike Lawler - Assembly District 97 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^ Lewis, Rebecca (October 21, 2022). "Mike Lawler's congressional campaign is paying his own consulting firm". City & State NY. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
^ Meier, Alex (October 18, 2024). "Who are Mike Lawler and Mondaire Jones? Race for NY-17 swing seat". FOX 5 NY. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
^ Wilson, David McKay (April 8, 2024). "Did GOP Rep. Mike Lawler vote for Trump in presidential primary? He won't say". Rockland/Westchester Journal News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
^ Lieberman, Steve. "Elections Update: Reichlin-Melnick wins Senate seat over Weber; Lawler unseats Jaffee". The Journal News. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^ Rocklandreport (November 28, 2020). "Mike Lawler Declared Winner in 97th Assembly District, Jaffee Concedes". Rockland Report. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
^ Gronewold, Anna (August 23, 2022). "Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney routs progressive challenger in heated New York primary". POLITICO. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
^ McKinley, Jesse; Fandos, Nicholas (November 9, 2022). "Sean Patrick Maloney Concedes to Mike Lawler in Major Loss for Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^ Mutnick, Ally; Ferris, Sarah; Gronewold, Anna (November 9, 2022). "DCCC chair Maloney concedes defeat in New York". Retrieved November 9, 2022.
^ "New York 17th Congressional District Election Results 2024: Lawler vs. Jones". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
^ Fandos, Nicholas (September 17, 2024). "Pelosi Blamed New York for House Losses. Hochul Wants Another Chance". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
^ ^a ^b Fandos, Nicholas (October 3, 2024). "Photos Show New York Congressman in Blackface as Michael Jackson". The New York Times.
^ Gans, Jared (January 3, 2023). "Incoming Republican rep: Santos a distraction to GOP". The Hill. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
^ Bellamy, Phillip Pantuso (January 12, 2023). "Lawler, Molinaro call on Santos to resign; Stefanik still silent". Times Union.
^ "'It's a sad day for the American people.' Rep. Lawler frustrated by lack of votes for McCarthy as House speaker". News12 New Jersey. Retrieved January 4, 2023.
^ "Roll Call 23 | Bill Number: H. Res. 5". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.
^ Lawler, Mike [@RepMikeLawler] (January 10, 2023). "Tonight, I delivered my first floor speech, supporting the Family & Small Business Protection Act, which will repeal the 87,000 new IRS agents. We need to make New York and our country more affordable and shouldn't use the IRS to target hardworking taxpayers. #CommitmentToAmerica https://t.co/sAp6k3kUWq" (Tweet). Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via Twitter.
^ "Roll Call 161 Roll Call 161, Bill Number: H. R. 5, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
^ "Michael Lawler breaks GOP ranks, votes against 'Parents Bill of Rights' he co-sponsored". www.lohud.com. Retrieved April 17, 2023.
^ "Most House Democrats and 20 Republicans voted to table a GOP-led effort to censure Adam Schiff". Politico. June 14, 2023.
^ Herszenhorn, Miles J. "These 20 Republicans voted with Democrats to block the censure of Adam Schiff". USA TODAY.
^ "Congressman Lawler Introduces Bill to Stop Ranked Choice Voting". Congressman Mike Lawler. Mike Lawler. May 25, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
^ Wilson, David McKay (December 13, 2023). "U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler's attacks on press freedoms draw scrutiny". Rockland/Westchester Journal News. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2024.
^ Wilson, David McKay (January 9, 2024). "In face of criticism, Lawler rescinds press ban at his Congressional Town Halls". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2024.
^ "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
^ "Committees and Caucuses | Congressman Mike Lawler". lawler.house.gov. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
^ Anuta, Joe (December 3, 2023). "Speaker Johnson makes NY fundraising swing for battleground House races". Politico. Retrieved May 12, 2024.
^ Mann, Brian (December 3, 2022). "Republicans won House seats in blue New York. Those wins could help shape Congress". NPR.
^ Reisman, Nick (November 6, 2024). "Republican Mike Lawler retains pivotal suburban NYC House seat". Politico. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
^ McKenna, Chris (May 18, 2024). "Molinaro, Lawler ranked near top for bipartisan House work in 2023, annual score finds". LoHud. USA Today. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
^ Lawler, Michael V. (October 6, 2022). "Mike Lawler: On abortion, I will always advocate for life | Opinion". The Journal News. Retrieved February 13, 2023.
^ "4 members of Congress form anti-congestion pricing caucus". PIX11. March 16, 2023.
^ "Congressmen Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer slam congestion pricing as "money grab," say it will wreck area small businesses". www.cbsnews.com. December 4, 2023.
^ Bellamy, Lana (December 7, 2023). "Congestion pricing closer to reality after MTA vote". Times Union.
^ "New York to become first US city to have congestion charge". BBC News. 2024.
^ https://x.com/lawler4ny/status/1601603432904810497?lang=en
^ "The Source with Kaitlan Collins". CNN. April 10, 2024. I did vote for the former President
^ Brooks, Emily (September 13, 2024). "6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results". The Hill. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
^ "Mazel Tov! Congressman Mike Lawler Welcomes Second Daughter, Elizabeth Rose | Rockland Daily". www.rocklanddaily.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.
^ "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. December 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
^ "Instagram Post By lawler4ny". www.instagram.com. October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
^ "2020 General Election Official Results" (PDF). Rockland County Board of Elections.
^ "August 23 Federal and State primary results". New York State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.

External links

Congressman Mike Lawler official U.S. House website
Campaign website

Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
Profile at Vote Smart
Appearances on C-SPAN
State assembly website

New York State Assembly
Preceded by Ellen Jaffee	Member of the New York State Assembly from the 97th district 2021–2022	Succeeded by John W. McGowan
U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Mondaire Jones	Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 17th congressional district 2023–present	Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by Nick Langworthy	United States representatives by seniority 393rd	Succeeded by Laurel Lee

[1] "LAWLER, Michael 1986 –". Retrieved November 20, 2024.

[2] Michael Lawler Commencement Speech. Michael Lawler. January 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 14, 2022. Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via YouTube.

[3] "Mike Lawler - Assembly District 97 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved January 31, 2021.

[4] Lewis, Rebecca (October 21, 2022). "Mike Lawler's congressional campaign is paying his own consulting firm". City & State NY. Retrieved November 20, 2024.

[5] Meier, Alex (October 18, 2024). "Who are Mike Lawler and Mondaire Jones? Race for NY-17 swing seat". FOX 5 NY. Retrieved November 20, 2024.

[6] Wilson, David McKay (April 8, 2024). "Did GOP Rep. Mike Lawler vote for Trump in presidential primary? He won't say". Rockland/Westchester Journal News. Archived from the original on April 8, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.

[7] Lieberman, Steve. "Elections Update: Reichlin-Melnick wins Senate seat over Weber; Lawler unseats Jaffee". The Journal News. Retrieved January 31, 2021.

[8] Rocklandreport (November 28, 2020). "Mike Lawler Declared Winner in 97th Assembly District, Jaffee Concedes". Rockland Report. Retrieved January 31, 2021.

[9] Gronewold, Anna (August 23, 2022). "Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney routs progressive challenger in heated New York primary". POLITICO. Retrieved August 25, 2022.

[10] McKinley, Jesse; Fandos, Nicholas (November 9, 2022). "Sean Patrick Maloney Concedes to Mike Lawler in Major Loss for Democrats". The New York Times. Retrieved November 9, 2022.

[11] Mutnick, Ally; Ferris, Sarah; Gronewold, Anna (November 9, 2022). "DCCC chair Maloney concedes defeat in New York". Retrieved November 9, 2022.

[12] "New York 17th Congressional District Election Results 2024: Lawler vs. Jones". The New York Times. November 5, 2024. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved November 6, 2024.

[13] Fandos, Nicholas (September 17, 2024). "Pelosi Blamed New York for House Losses. Hochul Wants Another Chance". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 17, 2024. Retrieved September 19, 2024.

[:4-14] Fandos, Nicholas (October 3, 2024). "Photos Show New York Congressman in Blackface as Michael Jackson". The New York Times.

[15] Gans, Jared (January 3, 2023). "Incoming Republican rep: Santos a distraction to GOP". The Hill. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

[16] Bellamy, Phillip Pantuso (January 12, 2023). "Lawler, Molinaro call on Santos to resign; Stefanik still silent". Times Union.

[17] "'It's a sad day for the American people.' Rep. Lawler frustrated by lack of votes for McCarthy as House speaker". News12 New Jersey. Retrieved January 4, 2023.

[18] "Roll Call 23 | Bill Number: H. Res. 5". Clerk of the United States House of Representatives. January 9, 2023. Retrieved January 10, 2023.

[19] Lawler, Mike [@RepMikeLawler] (January 10, 2023). "Tonight, I delivered my first floor speech, supporting the Family & Small Business Protection Act, which will repeal the 87,000 new IRS agents. We need to make New York and our country more affordable and shouldn't use the IRS to target hardworking taxpayers. #CommitmentToAmerica https://t.co/sAp6k3kUWq" (Tweet). Retrieved January 15, 2023 – via Twitter.

[20] "Roll Call 161 Roll Call 161, Bill Number: H. R. 5, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 26, 2023.

[21] "Michael Lawler breaks GOP ranks, votes against 'Parents Bill of Rights' he co-sponsored". www.lohud.com. Retrieved April 17, 2023.

[22] "Most House Democrats and 20 Republicans voted to table a GOP-led effort to censure Adam Schiff". Politico. June 14, 2023.

[23] Herszenhorn, Miles J. "These 20 Republicans voted with Democrats to block the censure of Adam Schiff". USA TODAY.

[24] "Congressman Lawler Introduces Bill to Stop Ranked Choice Voting". Congressman Mike Lawler. Mike Lawler. May 25, 2023. Retrieved July 17, 2023.

[25] Wilson, David McKay (December 13, 2023). "U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler's attacks on press freedoms draw scrutiny". Rockland/Westchester Journal News. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2024.

[26] Wilson, David McKay (January 9, 2024). "In face of criticism, Lawler rescinds press ban at his Congressional Town Halls". Poughkeepsie Journal. Retrieved January 9, 2024.

[27] "About Climate Solutions Caucus". Climate Solutions Caucus. Retrieved November 7, 2024.

[28] "Committees and Caucuses | Congressman Mike Lawler". lawler.house.gov. Retrieved March 25, 2023.

[:0-29] Anuta, Joe (December 3, 2023). "Speaker Johnson makes NY fundraising swing for battleground House races". Politico. Retrieved May 12, 2024.

[:2-30] Mann, Brian (December 3, 2022). "Republicans won House seats in blue New York. Those wins could help shape Congress". NPR.

[31] Reisman, Nick (November 6, 2024). "Republican Mike Lawler retains pivotal suburban NYC House seat". Politico. Retrieved November 20, 2024.

[32] McKenna, Chris (May 18, 2024). "Molinaro, Lawler ranked near top for bipartisan House work in 2023, annual score finds". LoHud. USA Today. Retrieved October 25, 2024.

[33] Lawler, Michael V. (October 6, 2022). "Mike Lawler: On abortion, I will always advocate for life | Opinion". The Journal News. Retrieved February 13, 2023.

[34] "4 members of Congress form anti-congestion pricing caucus". PIX11. March 16, 2023.

[35] "Congressmen Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer slam congestion pricing as "money grab," say it will wreck area small businesses". www.cbsnews.com. December 4, 2023.

[36] Bellamy, Lana (December 7, 2023). "Congestion pricing closer to reality after MTA vote". Times Union.

[37] "New York to become first US city to have congestion charge". BBC News. 2024.

[38] ttps://x.com/lawler4ny/status/1601603432904810497?lang=en

[39] "The Source with Kaitlan Collins". CNN. April 10, 2024. I did vote for the former President

[40] Brooks, Emily (September 13, 2024). "6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results". The Hill. Retrieved September 13, 2024.

[41] "Mazel Tov! Congressman Mike Lawler Welcomes Second Daughter, Elizabeth Rose | Rockland Daily". www.rocklanddaily.com. October 28, 2024. Retrieved November 20, 2024.

[42] "Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress" (PDF). PEW Research Center. December 2022. Retrieved March 10, 2023.

[43] "Instagram Post By lawler4ny". www.instagram.com. October 8, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.

[44] "2020 General Election Official Results" (PDF). Rockland County Board of Elections.

[45] "August 23 Federal and State primary results". New York State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022. Retrieved December 28, 2022.

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@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 {{Short description|American politician (born 1986)}}
 {{for|persons of a similar name|Michael Lawler (disambiguation)}}
-{{pp-protected|small=yes}}
 {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2023}}
 {{Infobox officeholder
@@ Line 25: / Line 24: @@
 | party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
 | spouse              = Doina
-| children            = 1
+| children            = 2
 | residence           = [[Pearl River, New York]], U.S.
 | education           = [[Manhattan College]] ([[Bachelor of Science|BS]])
@@ Line 34: / Line 33: @@
 |signature=Mike Lawler Signature.png
 }}
 '''Michael Vincent Lawler''' (born September 9, 1986) is an American politician serving as the [[U.S. House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[New York's 17th congressional district]] since 2023. From 2021 to 2022, he was a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] member of the [[New York State Assembly]] from the 97th district in [[Rockland County, New York|Rockland County]].
 == Early life and education ==
-Lawler was born and raised in [[Suffern, New York]].
+Lawler was born and raised in [[Suffern, New York]]. He graduated from [[Suffern High School]].<ref>{{cite web |title=LAWLER, Michael 1986 – |url=https://bioguide.congress.gov/search/bio/L000599 |access-date=20 November 2024}}</ref>
+Lawler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from [[Manhattan College]] in 2009 and was named [[valedictorian]] of his graduating class.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=January 24, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR18oQYHbgo |title=Michael Lawler Commencement Speech |publisher=Michael Lawler |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114211421/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR18oQYHbgo |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Lawler - Assembly District 97 {{!}}Assembly Member Directory {{!}} New York State Assembly |url=https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Mike-Lawler/ |access-date=January 31, 2021 |website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref>
-In 2005, [[J. Randy Taraborrelli]], a Michael Jackson biographer, helped get Lawler into the courtroom and recalled that Lawler, then a senior in high school and "young fan" of Jackson had been “so disgusted” by testimony against Jackson “that he couldn’t help but mutter something derogatory under his breath.” Lawler was removed from the courtroom, according to Mr. Taraborrelli’s biography, “Michael Jackson: The Magic, the Madness, the Whole Story.”<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |date=2024-10-03 |title=Photos Show New York Congressman in Blackface as Michael Jackson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/nyregion/lawler-blackface-michael-jackson.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
-Lawler graduated from [[Suffern High School]].
-He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from [[Manhattan College]] in 2009 and was named [[valedictorian]] of his graduating class.<ref>{{cite AV media |date=January 24, 2020 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR18oQYHbgo |title=Michael Lawler Commencement Speech |publisher=Michael Lawler |via=[[YouTube]] |access-date=January 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221114211421/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nR18oQYHbgo |archive-date=November 14, 2022 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Mike Lawler - Assembly District 97 {{!}}Assembly Member Directory {{!}} New York State Assembly |url=https://nyassembly.gov/mem/Mike-Lawler/ |access-date=January 31, 2021 |website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref>
-He is of [[Irish American|Irish]] and [[Italian American|Italian]] descent.{{Source needed|date=October 2024}}
 == Career ==
-Lawler was a partner at the pro-Republican political communications firm Checkmate Strategies from 2018 until 2022.{{Source needed|date=October 2024}} He previously worked in the [[Westchester County Executive|Westchester County Executive's Office]] as an advisor to [[Rob Astorino]] and executive director of the [[New York Republican State Committee|New York State Republican Party]]. Before winning his election, he served as deputy town supervisor of [[Orangetown, New York]].{{Source needed|date=October 2024}} Additionally, he served as a Republican [[Delegate (American politics)#Presidential conventions|convention delegate]] for Trump in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=David McKay |title=Did GOP Rep. Mike Lawler vote for Trump in presidential primary? He won't say |url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/08/ny-rep-mike-lawler-mum-on-whether-he-voted-for-trump-in-gop-primary/73208493007/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=Rockland/Westchester Journal News |date=April 8, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240408104630/https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/08/ny-rep-mike-lawler-mum-on-whether-he-voted-for-trump-in-gop-primary/73208493007/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref>
+Lawler co-founded the political communications firm Checkmate Strategies in 2018.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lewis |first1=Rebecca |title=Mike Lawler’s congressional campaign is paying his own consulting firm |url=https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2022/10/mike-lawlers-congressional-campaign-paying-his-own-consulting-firm/378794/ |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=City & State NY |date=21 October 2022 |language=en}}</ref> He previously worked in the [[Westchester County Executive|Westchester County Executive's Office]] as an advisor to [[Rob Astorino]] and as executive director of the [[New York Republican State Committee|New York State Republican Party]]. He also previously served as deputy town supervisor of [[Orangetown, New York]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Meier |first1=Alex |title=Who are Mike Lawler and Mondaire Jones? Race for NY-17 swing seat |url=https://www.fox5ny.com/election/mike-lawler-mondaire-jones-election-race-ny-17 |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=FOX 5 NY |date=18 October 2024}}</ref> Additionally, Lawler served as a Republican [[Delegate (American politics)#Presidential conventions|convention delegate]] for [[Donald Trump]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=David McKay |title=Did GOP Rep. Mike Lawler vote for Trump in presidential primary? He won't say |url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/08/ny-rep-mike-lawler-mum-on-whether-he-voted-for-trump-in-gop-primary/73208493007/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=Rockland/Westchester Journal News |date=April 8, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240408104630/https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2024/04/08/ny-rep-mike-lawler-mum-on-whether-he-voted-for-trump-in-gop-primary/73208493007/ |archive-date=April 8, 2024}}</ref>
 Lawler was elected to the [[New York State Assembly]] in 2020 for a two-year term, defeating Democratic incumbent [[Ellen Jaffee]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Lieberman|first=Steve|title=Elections Update: Reichlin-Melnick wins Senate seat over Weber; Lawler unseats Jaffee|url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/elections/2020/11/18/reichlin-melnick-senate-lawler-assembly-race-election-2020/6330864002/|access-date=January 31, 2021|website=The Journal News|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Rocklandreport|date=November 28, 2020|title=Mike Lawler Declared Winner in 97th Assembly District, Jaffee Concedes|url=https://www.rocklandreport.com/mike-lawler-declared-winner-in-97th-assembly-district-jaffee-concedes/|access-date=January 31, 2021|website=Rockland Report|language=en-US}}</ref>
@@ Line 62: / Line 55: @@
 {{main|2024 United States House of Representatives elections in New York#District 17}}
-''The New York Times'' said Lawler is "openly entertaining a bid for governor in 2026" while running for re-election to Congress.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fandos |first1=Nicholas |title=Pelosi Blamed New York for House Losses. Hochul Wants Another Chance. |url=https://nytimes.com/2024/09/17/nyregion/hochul-democrats-house-election.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=September 17, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917073400/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/17/nyregion/hochul-democrats-house-election.html/ |archive-date=September 17, 2024}}</ref>
+On November 5, 2024, Lawler was re-elected to the United States House of Representatives in the 17th Congressional district of New York, besting his opponent, Democratic nominee [[Mondaire Jones]], by approximately seven percentage points.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-11-05 |title=New York 17th Congressional District Election Results 2024: Lawler vs. Jones |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2024/11/05/us/elections/results-new-york-us-house-17.html |access-date=2024-11-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
+''The New York Times'' said Lawler was "openly entertaining a bid for governor in 2026" while running for re-election to Congress.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Fandos |first1=Nicholas |title=Pelosi Blamed New York for House Losses. Hochul Wants Another Chance. |url=https://nytimes.com/2024/09/17/nyregion/hochul-democrats-house-election.html |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=September 17, 2024 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240917073400/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/17/nyregion/hochul-democrats-house-election.html/ |archive-date=September 17, 2024}}</ref>
+On October 3, 2024, ''[[The New York Times]]'' discovered resurfaced photos of Lawler wearing a [[Michael Jackson]] costume that included [[blackface]] in 2006 at a Manhattan College [[Halloween]] party. In response, Lawler said that his costume was intended to be "truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom's kitchen. The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind."<ref name=":4"/> It was also reported that in 2005, [[J. Randy Taraborrelli]], a [[Michael Jackson]] biographer who helped get Lawler into the courtroom for Jackson's trial, recalled that Lawler, then a senior in high school and "young fan" of Jackson had been "so disgusted" by testimony against Jackson "that he couldn't help but mutter something derogatory under his breath." Lawler was later removed from the courtroom.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news |last=Fandos |first=Nicholas |date=2024-10-03 |title=Photos Show New York Congressman in Blackface as Michael Jackson |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/03/nyregion/lawler-blackface-michael-jackson.html |newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>
 ===Tenure===
@@ Line 75: / Line 72: @@
 On June 21, Lawler voted with 212 other House Republicans in favor of the censure of Rep. [[Adam Schiff]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.politico.com/minutes/congress/06-14-2023/schiff-censure-house-tabled/ |title=Most House Democrats and 20 Republicans voted to table a GOP-led effort to censure Adam Schiff. |work=[[Politico]] |date=June 14, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2023/06/15/these-20-republicans-blocked-censure-adam-schiff/70324705007/|title=These 20 Republicans voted with Democrats to block the censure of Adam Schiff|first=Miles J.|last=Herszenhorn|website=USA TODAY}}</ref>
-Along with [[Claudia Tenney]], Lawler introduced a bill to prohibit [[Washington, D.C.]] from adopting [[Ranked voting|ranked-choice voting]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Congressman Lawler Introduces Bill to Stop Ranked Choice Voting|url=https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=368 |website=Congressman Mike Lawler | date=May 25, 2023 |publisher=Mike Lawler |access-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
+Along with [[Claudia Tenney]], Lawler introduced a bill to prohibit [[Washington, D.C.]], from adopting [[Ranked voting|ranked-choice voting]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Congressman Lawler Introduces Bill to Stop Ranked Choice Voting|url=https://lawler.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=368 |website=Congressman Mike Lawler | date=May 25, 2023 |publisher=Mike Lawler |access-date=17 July 2023}}</ref>
 For much of 2023, Lawler had a policy of banning television news cameras from his town hall meetings; he rescinded the ban in early 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=David McKay |title=U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler's attacks on press freedoms draw scrutiny |url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/13/representative-mike-lawler-attacks-on-press-freedoms-draw-scrutiny-banned-from-town-hall-meetings/71842231007/ |access-date=September 19, 2024 |work=[[Rockland/Westchester Journal News]] |date=December 13, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231213091037/https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2023/12/13/representative-mike-lawler-attacks-on-press-freedoms-draw-scrutiny-banned-from-town-hall-meetings/71842231007/ |archive-date=December 13, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wilson |first1=David McKay |title=In face of criticism, Lawler rescinds press ban at his Congressional Town Halls |url=https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/politics/2024/01/09/representative-mike-lawler-rescinds-press-ban-at-congressional-town-halls-in-2024/72151599007/ |access-date=January 9, 2024 |work=Poughkeepsie Journal |date=January 9, 2024}}</ref>
-On October 3, 2024, [[The New York Times]] discovered resurfaced photos of Lawler wearing a [[Michael Jackson]] costume that included [[blackface]] in 2006 at Manhattan College at a [[Halloween]] party. In response, Lawler stated that his costume was intended to be “truly the sincerest form of flattery, a genuine homage to my musical hero since I was a little kid trying to moonwalk through my mom’s kitchen. The ugly practice of blackface was the furthest thing from my mind."<ref name=":4"/>
 === Caucus memberships ===
+* [[Climate Solutions Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=About Climate Solutions Caucus|author=|url=https://climatesolutionscaucus-garbarino.house.gov/about |format=|publisher=Climate Solutions Caucus|date=|accessdate=7 November 2024}}</ref>
 * [[Republican Main Street Partnership]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Committees and Caucuses {{!}} Congressman Mike Lawler |url=https://lawler.house.gov/about/committees-and-caucuses.htm |access-date=2023-03-25 |website=lawler.house.gov |language=en}}</ref>
@@ Line 91: / Line 87: @@
 == Political positions ==
-Lawler is generally considered to be a centrist politician, with ''[[Politico]]'' describing Lawler as "an avowed [[Political moderate|moderate]]".<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Anuta |first=Joe |date=December 3, 2023 |title=Speaker Johnson makes NY fundraising swing for battleground House races |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/03/johnson-makes-ny-fundraising-swing-as-battleground-house-races-loom-00129821 |access-date=May 12, 2024 |work=Politico}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Mann |first=Brian |date=December 3, 2022 |title=Republicans won House seats in blue New York. Those wins could help shape Congress |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/03/1139399457/republican-house-wins-new-york |work=[[NPR]]}}</ref>
+Lawler is a moderate centrist politician.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |last=Anuta |first=Joe |date=December 3, 2023 |title=Speaker Johnson makes NY fundraising swing for battleground House races |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2023/12/03/johnson-makes-ny-fundraising-swing-as-battleground-house-races-loom-00129821 |access-date=May 12, 2024 |work=Politico}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |last=Mann |first=Brian |date=December 3, 2022 |title=Republicans won House seats in blue New York. Those wins could help shape Congress |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/12/03/1139399457/republican-house-wins-new-york |work=[[NPR]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Reisman |first1=Nick |title=Republican Mike Lawler retains pivotal suburban NYC House seat |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2024/11/05/2024-election-results-live-coverage-updates-analysis/mike-lawler-wins-new-york-city-house-race-00187024 |access-date=20 November 2024 |publisher=Politico |date=November 6, 2024}}</ref>
 In 2024, Lawler was rated as the fourth most bipartisan member of the U.S. House during the [[118th United States Congress]] in the Bipartisan Index created by [[The Lugar Center]] and the [[McCourt School of Public Policy]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=McKenna |first1=Chris |title=Molinaro, Lawler ranked near top for bipartisan House work in 2023, annual score finds |url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/politics/2024/05/18/marc-molinaro-mike-lawler-rank-high-bipartisan-house-bills-they-backed-congress-republicans-new-york/73731884007/ |access-date=25 October 2024 |work=LoHud |publisher=USA Today |date=May 18, 2024}}</ref>
@@ Line 99: / Line 95: @@
 === Congestion pricing ===
-In 2023, Lawler opposed a plan by the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] to enact [[Congestion pricing in New York City|congestion pricing]] in [[Manhattan]], New York City, one of the most traffic congested areas of the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-16 |title=4 members of Congress form anti-congestion pricing caucus |url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/4-members-of-congress-form-anti-congestion-pricing-caucus/ |website=PIX11 |language=en-US}}</ref> The plan would charge most cars $15 per day to drive in Manhattan below 60th Street. Lawler said that the congestion pricing plan was not intended to reduce congestion, but was instead an "outrageous cash grab."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-04 |title=Congressmen Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer slam congestion pricing as "money grab," say it will wreck area small businesses |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/congressmen-mike-lawler-and-josh-gottheimer-slam-congestion-pricing-as-money-grab-say-it-will-wreck-area-small-businesses/ |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellamy |first=Lana |date=2023-12-07 |title=Congestion pricing closer to reality after MTA vote |url=https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/mta-congestion-pricing-vote-18537642.php |website=Times Union |language=en}}</ref>
+In 2023, Lawler opposed a plan by the [[Metropolitan Transportation Authority]] to enact [[Congestion pricing in New York City|congestion pricing]] in [[Manhattan]], New York City, one of the most traffic congested areas of the world.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-03-16 |title=4 members of Congress form anti-congestion pricing caucus |url=https://pix11.com/news/local-news/4-members-of-congress-form-anti-congestion-pricing-caucus/ |website=PIX11 |language=en-US}}</ref> The plan would charge most cars $15 per day to drive in Manhattan below 60th Street. Lawler said that the congestion pricing plan was not intended to reduce congestion, but was instead an "outrageous cash grab."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-04 |title=Congressmen Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer slam congestion pricing as "money grab," say it will wreck area small businesses |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/congressmen-mike-lawler-and-josh-gottheimer-slam-congestion-pricing-as-money-grab-say-it-will-wreck-area-small-businesses/ |website=www.cbsnews.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bellamy |first=Lana |date=2023-12-07 |title=Congestion pricing closer to reality after MTA vote |url=https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/mta-congestion-pricing-vote-18537642.php |website=Times Union |language=en}}</ref> In 2024, he asked president-elect Donald Trump to kill the congestion pricing plan once he gets into office.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024 |title=New York to become first US city to have congestion charge |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvgk5pew592o |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}</ref>
+===LGBT rights===
+Lawler stated on [[Twitter]] in December 2022 that he would have voted to pass the [[Respect for Marriage Act]] if he was in office at the time.<ref>https://x.com/lawler4ny/status/1601603432904810497?lang=en</ref>
 ===2024 presidential election===
 Lawler voted for Trump in the [[2024 New York Republican presidential primary|2024 Republican primary in New York]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://transcripts.cnn.com/show/skc/date/2024-04-10/segment/01 |title=The Source with Kaitlan Collins |work=CNN |date=April 10, 2024 |quote=I did vote for the former President}}</ref>
 Lawler was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter in which they pledged to respect the results of the [[2024 United States presidential election|2024 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Brooks|first=Emily|date=September 13, 2024|title=6 House Republicans join bipartisan commitment to uphold election results|work=The Hill|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4878373-house-republicans-election-results/|access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref>
 == Personal life ==
-Lawler lives in [[Pearl River, New York|Pearl River]] with his wife, Doina, and their daughter.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://lawler.house.gov/about//|title=About Congressman Mike Lawler |website=Congressman Mike Lawler}}</ref>
+Lawler lives in [[Pearl River, New York|Pearl River]] with his wife, Doina, and their two daughters.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mazel Tov! Congressman Mike Lawler Welcomes Second Daughter, Elizabeth Rose {{!}} Rockland Daily |url=https://www.rocklanddaily.com/news/mazel-tov-congressman-mike-lawler-welcomes-second-daughter-elizabeth-rose |access-date=20 November 2024 |work=www.rocklanddaily.com |date=October 28, 2024}}</ref>
-Lawler is [[Catholic Church|Catholic]].<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2022 |title=Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=PEW Research Center}}</ref>
+Lawler is [[Catholic Church|Catholic]].<ref>{{cite web |date=December 2022 |title=Religious affiliation of members of 118th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2022/12/PF_2023.01.03_congress_LIST.pdf |access-date=March 10, 2023 |publisher=PEW Research Center}}</ref> He is of [[Irish American|Irish]] and [[Italian American|Italian]] descent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 October 2024 |title=Instagram Post By lawler4ny |url=https://www.instagram.com/lawler4ny/p/DA32xB8TiXX/?img_index=1 |access-date=2024-11-29 |website=www.instagram.com}}</ref>
 ==Electoral history==
@@ Line 278: / Line 278: @@
 {{s-prec|usa}}
 {{s-bef|before=[[Nick Langworthy]]}}
-{{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States House of Representatives|United States representatives by seniority]]|years=394th}}
+{{s-ttl|title=[[Seniority in the United States House of Representatives|United States representatives by seniority]]|years=393rd}}
 {{s-aft|after=[[Laurel Lee]]}}
 {{s-end}}
@@ Line 290: / Line 290: @@
 {{DEFAULTSORT:Lawler, Michael}}
 [[Category:1986 births]]
-[[Category:21st-century American legislators]]
-[[Category:21st-century New York (state) politicians]]
 [[Category:American people of Irish descent]]
 [[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
@@ Line 301: / Line 299: @@
 [[Category:Republican Party members of the New York State Assembly]]
 [[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from New York (state)]]
+[[Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature]]
+[[Category:21st-century members of the United States House of Representatives]]