After losing the top Democratic spot on the House Judiciary Committee last Congress, Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) now has to fend off a much younger primary challenger.
Liam Elkind, the 26-year-old founder of a New York City nonprofit, launched his campaign against Nadler just over a week ago. Elkin is calling for generational change, saying the 78-year-old Nadler is out of touch with the current political climate.
“If Democrats continue to be the party of strongly worded letters, we’re going to continue to lose,” Elkind told us. “We have one shot left to get our country back, or we could become a permanent minority party.”
Elkind is one of several Gen Z and Millennial candidates challenging longtime House Democrats, who they say are not doing enough to fight back against President Donald Trump.
In his launch video, Elkind urged Nadler to retire and showed footage of the incumbent falling asleep at hearings, as well as other reports of aging Democrats dying in office.
Nadler was essentially forced out as Judiciary ranking member last Congress after Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) challenged him for the job. Nadler had been the panel’s top Democrat since 2017, but many of his colleagues were privately calling for him to be replaced.
On the campaign trail. Elkind said Democrats have struggled to find a solutions-oriented message to counter Trump, pointing out the president’s inroads in New York City last year, including in Nadler’s 12th District.
Elkind also noted Nadler’s tenure in politics before coming to Congress, where he served 15 years in the New York State Assembly.
“When he was first elected, rent was $500 bucks. The president was Gerald Ford, my mother was 9 years old, and the latest technology was a floppy disk,” Elkind said. “Now, rent is almost $5,000 for a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, and we’ve lost to Donald Trump twice.”
Nadler’s response. Nadler’s campaign highlighted the New York Democrat’s strong electoral record, including his 2022 primary victory against longtime veteran Rep. Carolyn Maloney.
“Congressman Nadler will put his over 30-year record of accomplishments against anyone, including someone who appears to have no record of accomplishment to speak of,” said Robert Gottheim, Nadler’s chief of staff.
