Former U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones aims to reclaim seat in closely watched House race

Former U.S. Rep. Mondaire Jones, the Democratic nominee for New York’s 17th Congressional District, is gearing up for a high-stakes battle to reclaim his seat from Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler in one of the nation’s most closely watched House races. Jones, who made history in 2020 as the first openly gay Black American elected to Congress, aims to bring back a distinctive Black and queer voice to Capitol Hill.

With the upcoming November elections, Democrats like Jones are crucial in flipping Republican-held seats in toss-up districts. A win for Jones could contribute to Democrats regaining the majority in the House of Representatives, potentially electing U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries as the first Black American speaker of the House.

Jones is vocal about the dangers of a Republican-controlled Congress and a potential second Trump administration, citing Project 2025, a conservative manifesto aiming to enact drastic policy changes if Trump returns to the White House in 2025. He warns voters about the extremist agenda and the threat it poses to democracy.

On the campaign trail, Jones has portrayed his opponent, Rep. Lawler, as a Trump-aligned extremist who would support controversial policies like a national abortion ban. However, Jones faces challenges, including criticism for endorsing George Latimer over U.S. Rep. Jamaal Bowman in the New York primary, leading to the rescinding of endorsements from progressive groups.

Despite the setbacks, Jones remains focused on the importance of Democrats regaining power in Congress to protect the gains made by marginalized communities. He emphasizes the need for unity within the Democratic Party to combat MAGA extremism and fascism, highlighting the urgency of the upcoming election in safeguarding democracy and advancing equality.