Former Rep. Maloney endorses Conley in NY-17 race 

Former U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney has endorsed Democratic candidate Cait Conley in the race for New York’s 17th Congressional District.

Maloney, who represented the Hudson Valley in Congress from 2013 to 2023 and previously chaired the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, said Conley’s background and experience make her well-suited for the seat.

“We need a candidate who can beat Mike Lawler and deliver results right out of the gate,” Maloney said in a statement. “NY-17 will be one of the most important battlegrounds in the country, and Cait is the best candidate to take this seat back for Democrats.

“Cait has spent her life serving this country, solving difficult problems, and bringing people together to get things done,” he added. “She has the experience, the discipline, and the credibility to win this district and be a truly effective voice for Hudson Valley families in Congress.”

Conley, a military veteran and national security expert, said she was honored by the endorsement and praised Maloney’s tenure in Congress.

“Sean fought tirelessly for the Hudson Valley … as a leader in the Democratic Party and as the first openly gay person elected to Congress from New York,” Conley said. “He has been a champion for veterans, families, and seniors, fighting to protect our environment and bring critical infrastructure dollars home to our region.”

She added that her campaign is focused on building a coalition to “flip this seat” and address cost-of-living concerns and other issues facing residents.

Maloney’s endorsement adds to a growing list of institutional and political support for Conley’s campaign, including backing from labor organizations and several county and local Democratic committees (including that of Putnam), according to her campaign.

Conley, a Hudson Valley native, is a West Point graduate and Army veteran who served 16 years in uniform, including multiple deployments, before later working in national security roles at the federal level. She is also a graduate of Harvard and MIT graduate programs.

She is seeking to challenge Republican incumbent Rep. Mike Lawler in the 17th District, which includes parts of the Hudson Valley, including Carmel/Mahopac.

Article courtesy of the Conley campaign