Republican two-term incumbent Rep. Mike Lawler and Democratic challenger Cait Conley clashed over immigration enforcement, data centers and President Donald Trump’s tariffs in their first televised debate Monday, five weeks before Election Day in the crucial New York swing district.
The candidates for New York’s 17th Congressional District went head-to-head for more than an hour, fielding questions from News12 reporter and moderator Tara Rosenblum and guest questioners on issues ranging from the cost of living to U.S. military aid for Israel.
The debate was recorded Monday afternoon and aired that night on News12. Both candidates used the moment to highlight their backgrounds and records while taking direct aim at each other.
Yorktown’s Tom and Jessica Gorman were among the questioners at the Rye Brook watch party, calling in with questions for the candidates about immigration enforcement and state policies. Their 18-year-old daughter, Sheridan Gorman, was fatally shot in Chicago in March by an undocumented immigrant from Venezuela. Since then, the Gormans have spoken publicly about immigration and policing policies, and they asked Lawler and Conley whether they supported new enforcement restrictions New York enacted this year and whether they would support legislation allowing the federal government to override states on such measures.
Conley told the Gormans that what happened to Sheridan was “inexcusable” and that her “heart absolutely breaks” for them, adding that “government failed her.”
Conley said she believes “border security is national security” and spoke about her experience as an Army combat veteran and military police officer.
“I do believe that immigration enforcement is essential, especially in getting violent criminals — like who we are talking about — off the streets and preventing terrorist groups and drug cartels and human traffickers from being in our communities,” Conley said. “What is happening under this administration, unfortunately, is not a focus on violent criminals.”
Conley said she wants to prioritize the safety of Hudson Valley families.
“I will never waver in that,” she said.
Lawler accused Conley of avoiding the question while voicing strong opposition to New York’s law. He also criticized Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration, accusing it of refusing to turn over people with serious criminal records to immigration authorities. Lawler backed federal legislation that he called “disastrous” and said he supports any legislator who would work to end sanctuary jurisdictions in the country.
“Let me be very clear, I stand with you,” Lawler told the Gormans.
Lawler has publicly supported the Gormans since Sheridan’s death. Most recently, Lawler accepted a Buddy Bench in Sheridan’s honor, alongside tributes to other “angel families,” and previously brought the family onstage at an RNC midterm event in Dallas and during Trump’s May visit to Rockland Community College.
“I refuse to allow that in this state and in this country, and I will oppose it with every fiber of my being,” Lawler said. “I support fixing our broken immigration system.”
Rosenblum said the majority of questions focused on the cost of living for local families, with many concerned about the prices of groceries, gas and housing.
Heidi Winslow of Yorktown Heights, a lawyer, asked the candidates what they would do in Congress to lower the cost of living, beyond blaming the opposing party, and how quickly residents could expect to see results.
Lawler pointed to raising the cap on state and local tax deductions, or SALT, while saying the administration delivered “the largest tax cut in American history, putting more than $4,000 back in the pockets of hardworking Hudson Valley families.”
Conley said that leaders “need to do a better job of actually delivering for people, and that means putting these problems and context and solving them with the urgency and aggressiveness that people deserve.”
A question on artificial intelligence brought the candidates into a broader debate over the rapid growth of data centers and their impact on the region.
Lawler has questioned Conley’s work with two technology companies after her time in the Biden administration, including one focused on artificial intelligence. He criticized her for not disclosing details of that work, citing nondisclosure agreements.
“They have nothing to do with AI. They have to do with our financial industry, post-9/11 — they were built here to protect our financial services industry. Are you against protecting our financial services industry?,” Lawler said. “I don't understand your argument.”
Conley countered by pointing to the construction of five data centers in Rockland County during Lawler’s tenure in Congress. She also criticized a Republican-backed tax and spending package, arguing that its provisions would provide significant tax benefits to data center developers.
“This is not a guy who's actually gonna follow through on anything he's saying,” she said. “He's looking out for himself, he's taking hundreds of thousands of dollars in big tech donations.”
Both Conley and Lawler expressed strong support for Israel and condemned antisemitism during the debate.
“Some of my colleagues, especially on the Democratic side of the aisle, have wavered in their support because of the radical antisemitic base of support within their party that has risen,” Lawler said. He also called Israel the “only democracy” in the Middle East and said, “They have not committed a genocide.”
Lawler pressed Conley on whether she would condemn New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Conley said she would seek accountability regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s leadership.
“I believe in Israel’s right to exist, and America’s responsibility to help support the safety and security of the people of Israel,” Conley said. “I also criticize Netanyahu when I believe he’s doing the wrong thing for Israel and for America.”
Lawler voted against a House bill that would have restricted military aid to Israel. Conley said she also would have voted against the measure and said she would support the Jewish American Security Act.
The candidates also touched on reproductive rights, flock cameras and other topics important to NY-17 voters during the debate.
Voters will head to the polls Nov. 3 for the midterm election. Mail voting is underway, while nine days of early voting set to begin Oct. 24.
For Westchester County voting information and locations, click here. For Putnam County, click here.
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