History of Mike Lawler in Timeline

Mike Lawler is an American politician currently serving as the U.S. Representative for New York's 17th congressional district since 2023. Prior to his congressional service, Lawler served as a Republican member of the New York State Assembly for the 97th district in Rockland County from 2021 to 2022. His political career reflects his involvement in New York state politics before transitioning to the national stage.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

September 9, 1986: Michael Lawler's Birth

On September 9, 1986, Michael Vincent Lawler was born. He later became a U.S. Representative for New York's 17th congressional district.

2005: Assistance from Michael Jackson biographer

In 2005, J. Randy Taraborrelli, a Michael Jackson biographer, helped Lawler, then a high school senior, get into the courtroom for Jackson's trial.

2006: Michael Jackson blackface costume at Manhattan College

In 2006, Lawler wore a Michael Jackson costume that included blackface at a Manhattan College Halloween party.

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.

2016: Republican Convention Delegate

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.

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 Primary Election

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

January 4, 2023: Criticism of George Santos' Conduct

On January 4, 2023, Lawler criticized then-newly sworn Representative George Santos's conduct as "embarrassing and unbecoming" and 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, citing concerns about an unspecified amendment that "went too far."

May 2023: Introduced Legislation Expanding Anti-Boycott Laws

In May 2023, Lawler introduced legislation along with Democrat Josh Gottheimer expanding anti-boycott laws to include blocking boycotts organized by international governmental organizations.

July 6, 2023: Introduced District of Columbia One Vote One Choice Act

On July 6, 2023, Lawler introduced H.R.4493, the District of Columbia One Vote One Choice Act, to prohibit Washington, D.C., from adopting ranked-choice voting.

August 2023: Signatory on letter opposing the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (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, including California's Proposition 12.

October 5, 2023: Opposed Inclusion of EATS Act in Farm Bill

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.

2023: Television News Camera Ban at Town Hall Meetings

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.

2023: Voted for Kevin McCarthy for Speaker

In 2023, Lawler voted for Kevin McCarthy in the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election.

March 2024: Opposed Inclusion of EATS Act in 2024 Farm Bill

In March 2024, Lawler was one of 10 House Republicans who signed a letter to the House Agriculture Committee opposing the inclusion of the Ending Agriculture Trade Suppression (EATS) Act in the 2024 farm bill.

September 2024: Letter Requesting 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 and soliciting recommendations to promote innovation in the U.S. alternative proteins sector.

September 2024: Considered Potential Candidate for Governor

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

October 2024: Resurfaced Blackface Costume Controversy

In October 2024, The New York Times discovered resurfaced photos from 2006 of Lawler wearing a Michael Jackson costume that included blackface at a Manhattan College Halloween party. Lawler responded by stating that the costume was intended as a tribute to Michael Jackson.

November 5, 2024: Re-election to the U.S. 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 Democratic nominee Mondaire Jones by 23,946 votes.

2024: Asked President-elect Trump to Kill Congestion Pricing Plan

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

2024: Voted for Trump and Pledged to Respect Election Results

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

2024: Rated Fourth Most Bipartisan Member of U.S. House

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.

2024: Rescinded Television News Camera Ban

In early 2024, Lawler rescinded his policy of banning television news cameras from his town hall meetings.

May 2025: Vote on Anti-Boycott Laws Scrapped

In May 2025, House Republican leadership scrapped a vote on the bill introduced by Lawler in May 2023, expanding anti-boycott laws.

May 2025: Criticism from Marjorie Taylor Greene over SALT Deduction

In May 2025, Lawler's support for increasing the SALT deduction drew criticism from Marjorie Taylor Greene. In a May 2025 meeting, President Trump told Lawler to "End it" regarding Lawler's push for a higher SALT deduction.