Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Mike Lawler

How Mike Lawler built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Michael Vincent Lawler is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 17th congressional district since 2023. Before his election to Congress, Lawler served as a Republican member of the New York State Assembly representing the 97th district in Rockland County from 2021 to 2022. His career demonstrates a relatively swift rise within the Republican party, transitioning from state-level politics to federal representation within a short period.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2009: Graduation from Manhattan College

In 2009, Lawler earned his Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Manhattan College and was named valedictorian of his graduating class.

2014: Campaign Manager for Rob Astorino

In 2014, Lawler served as Rob Astorino's campaign manager in his unsuccessful run for governor, and thereafter as an assistant to Astorino as County Executive.

2016: Republican Convention Delegate for Donald Trump

In 2016, Lawler served as a Republican convention delegate for Donald Trump.

2018: Co-founded Checkmate Strategies

In 2018, Lawler co-founded the political communications firm Checkmate Strategies.

2018: Supported US Embassy Relocation to Jerusalem

In 2018, Lawler supported the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

2020: Election to New York State Assembly

In 2020, Lawler was elected to the New York State Assembly for a two-year term, defeating Democratic incumbent Ellen Jaffee.

August 2022: Won Republican Primary

In August 2022, Lawler won the Republican primary in New York's 17th congressional district.

2022: Stated Intention to Visit Israel

During his 2022 campaign, Lawler stated that traveling to Israel would be "one of my first endeavors" after taking office.

January 4, 2023: Criticism of George Santos

On January 4, 2023, Lawler called then-newly sworn Representative George Santos's conduct "embarrassing and unbecoming" and "certainly a distraction".

March 2023: Vote Against Parents' Bill of Rights

In March 2023, Lawler was one of five Republicans to vote against the Parents' Bill of Rights after an unspecified amendment "went too far".

May 2023: Introduced Legislation Expanding Anti-Boycott Laws

In May 2023, Lawler, along with Democrat Josh Gottheimer, introduced legislation expanding anti-boycott laws to include blocking boycotts organized by international governmental organizations, with the intended effect of stopping the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement in the United States.

June 21, 2023: Vote to Block Censure of Rep. Adam Schiff

On June 21, 2023, Lawler voted with 20 other House Republicans to block the censure of Rep. Adam Schiff.

July 6, 2023: Introduced Bill to Prohibit Ranked-Choice Voting in D.C.

On July 6, 2023, Lawler introduced a bill to prohibit Washington, D.C. from adopting ranked-choice voting.

August 2023: Signed Letter Opposing EATS Act

In August 2023, Lawler was a signatory on a letter to the House Agriculture Committee opposing the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act, which would have overturned state and local animal welfare laws.

October 5, 2023: Signed Letter Opposing EATS Act

On October 5, 2023, Lawler signed a letter to the House Agriculture Committee along with 15 House Republicans opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2023 farm bill, arguing that the legislation would undermine states' rights and cede control over U.S. agricultural policy.

2023: Ban on Television News Cameras

For much of 2023, Lawler had a policy of banning television news cameras from his town hall meetings.

2023: Opposed Congestion Pricing in Manhattan

In 2023, Lawler opposed a plan by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to enact congestion pricing in Manhattan, New York City.

September 2024: Requested Analysis of Chinese Biotechnology

In September 2024, Lawler was one of 11 House Republicans who signed a letter to Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines requesting an analysis of Chinese biotechnology and slaughter-free cultivated meat developments.

September 2024: Considered for Governor Candidacy

In September 2024, The New York Times reported that Lawler was seen as a potential candidate for governor of New York in 2026.

November 5, 2024: Re-elected to US House of Representatives

On November 5, 2024, Lawler was re-elected to the United States House of Representatives in the 17th congressional district of New York, defeating his opponent, Democratic nominee Mondaire Jones.

2024: Asked Trump to Kill Congestion Pricing Plan

In 2024, Lawler asked president-elect Donald Trump to kill the congestion pricing plan in Manhattan once he gets into office.

2024: Voted for Trump in Republican Primary

In 2024, Lawler voted for Trump in the 2024 Republican primary in New York. Lawler was one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter pledging to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.

2024: Rescinded Ban on Television News Cameras

In early 2024, Lawler rescinded his ban on television news cameras from his town hall meetings.

May 2025: SALT Deduction Criticism

In May 2025, Lawler's support for increasing the SALT deduction drew criticism from Marjorie Taylor Greene and faced pressure from President Trump to accept a $30,000 cap.

May 2025: House Republican leadership scrapped a vote on the bill.

In May 2025, faced heavy criticism from House Republicans and conservatives, House Republican leadership scrapped a vote on Lawler's bill.

July 3, 2025: Voted for One Big Beautiful Bill Act

On July 3, 2025, Lawler voted for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.

July 2025: Reelection Announcement

In July 2025, Lawler announced he would seek reelection to the House in 2026 instead of running for governor.

April 2026: Defended Trump's Threat to Iran

In April 2026, Lawler defended and downplayed President Donald Trump's threat to destroy Iran's "whole civilization" unless Iran gave into his demands, stating Trump was merely threatening to target key infrastructure.

2026: Future Election Year

In September 2024, Lawler was considered for governor of New York in 2026. However, in July 2025, he announced he would seek reelection to the House in 2026 instead of running for governor.