History of Mike Lawler in Timeline

"Michael Vincent Lawler is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 17th congressional district, a position he has held since 2023. His political journey began with his tenure as a Republican member of the New York State Assembly, representing the 97th district in Rockland County from 2021 to 2022."

September 9, 1986: Born

Mike Lawler was born on September 9, 1986.

2005: Attends Michael Jackson Trial, Wears Blackface

As a high school senior in 2005, Mike Lawler attends portions of Michael Jackson's criminal trial and is expelled from the courtroom. He also attends a party in blackface as a tribute to Michael Jackson.

2009: Graduates from Manhattan College

Mike Lawler graduates from Manhattan College in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance and is named valedictorian of his class.

2016: Serves as Delegate for Donald Trump

Mike Lawler serves as a delegate for Donald Trump during the 2016 presidential election.

2018: Becomes Partner at Checkmate Strategies

Mike Lawler starts working as a partner at the political communications firm Checkmate Strategies in 2018.

2020: Elected to the New York State Assembly

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

2020: Works to Elect Donald Trump

While a partner at a consulting company, Mike Lawler works to elect Donald Trump in the 2020 presidential election. The company is paid $4 million by a Trump-aligned PAC to attack Joe Biden.

2021: Begins Term in the New York State Assembly

Mike Lawler serves as a Republican member of the New York State Assembly from the 97th district in Rockland County, starting in 2021.

August 2022: Wins Republican Primary for New York's 17th Congressional District

Mike Lawler wins the Republican primary for New York's 17th congressional district in August 2022.

2022: Leaves Checkmate Strategies

Mike Lawler ends his role as a partner at Checkmate Strategies in 2022.

2022: Concludes Term in the New York State Assembly

Mike Lawler's term as a Republican member of the New York State Assembly from the 97th district in Rockland County ends in 2022.

January 4, 2023: Criticizes George Santos' Conduct

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

March 2023: Votes Against the Parents' Bill of Rights

Mike Lawler is one of five Republicans to vote against the Parents' Bill of Rights in March 2023. He co-sponsored the bill but chose not to vote for it after stating that an unspecified amendment "went too far."

2023: Bans TV Cameras from Town Hall Meetings

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

2023: Assumes Office as U.S. Representative

Mike Lawler begins serving as the U.S. representative for New York's 17th congressional district in 2023.

2023: Opposes Congestion Pricing Plan

Mike Lawler opposes a plan by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to implement congestion pricing in Manhattan, New York City, in 2023. He argues that the plan is not intended to reduce congestion but is instead an "outrageous cash grab."

2023: Votes for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker of the House

Mike Lawler votes for Kevin McCarthy in the 2023 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election.

November 2024: Expecting Second Child

Mike Lawler and his wife, Doina, are expecting their second child, a girl, in November 2024.

2024: Ranked as 4th Most Bipartisan Member of Congress

In 2024, Mike Lawler is ranked as the 4th most bipartisan member of Congress by the Lugar Center and Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy Bipartisan Index.

2024: Rescinds Ban on TV Cameras at Town Hall Meetings

In early 2024, Mike Lawler rescinds his ban on television news cameras at his town hall meetings.

2024: Signs Bipartisan Letter Pledging to Respect Election Results

Mike Lawler is one of six Republicans to sign a bipartisan letter led by centrist representatives, pledging to respect the results of the 2024 presidential election.