NEW YORK — Rep. Jerry Nadler’s decisive victory in Tuesday night’s Democratic primary marked the end of an era for Rep. Carolyn Maloney, whose appeals to keep a woman in Manhattan’s congressional delegation fell on deaf ears.
Maloney, who will be out of power for the first time since 1993, congratulated Nadler, saying she “share[d] the progressive values” of the “distinguished member of Congress” and reiterated her call for the Equal Rights Amendment to be “back on the agenda.”
“I am proud to have followed in the footsteps and stand on the shoulders of the strong New York women who opened doors and took on the tough battles — Bella Abzug, Shirley Chisholm, and Gerry Ferraro, to name just a few. … Together, we must move forward and build on their legacies, continue to open doors, end all forms of discrimination and smash glass ceilings. We must continue to be unbought and unbossed, a Shirley Chisholm campaign slogan — and remind people again — a Woman’s Place is in the House — the House of Representatives, as coined by Bella,” she tweeted after Nadler was declared victorious.
CAROLYN MALONEY: SEND ME TO CONGRESS AND ‘WOMEN WILL BE IN THE CONSTITUTION’
Maloney previously said the race was beset by sexism, arguing at an election eve rally on Manhattan’s Upper East Side that New York women have battled “sexist systems and misogyny that continues today, as we have seen from my own campaign.”
The congresswoman offered praise for Speaker Nancy Pelosi, saying she proves that “when women are at the table where decisions get made, the menu of issues expands and the agenda changes to include things that directly affect our lives, our children, and our families” by “successfully mov[ing] the House to pass more progressive legislation than at any other time.”
Pelosi applauded Maloney’s congressional tenure upon her defeat, calling the New York Democrat “a deeply respected leader in our Caucus and a champion for integrity.”
“Chairwoman Maloney has been a prolific and effective legislator. Americans will continue to benefit from laws she authored to protect credit card users. New York families salute her fight to secure full health benefits for the heroic first responders on September 11th,” the speaker said while congratulating Nadler, “a commanding force for freedom and justice.”
With Maloney’s loss, her spot as chairwoman of the House Oversight Committee is vacated, and Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), a longtime member, has already announced his candidacy to helm the committee while applauding the “high standard” set during the “tenacious” Maloney’s tenure.
“For more than fourteen years, I have made this Committee my top priority. … We need a tested leader who will not be timid in the face of Republican insurrectionists. One who has a deep understanding of the issues facing our Committee and our country. A collaborator who can be a bridge to our talented and diverse caucus,” he said. “I believe I can be that leader, and look forward to earning the support of my colleagues.”
A North Carolina native who moved to New York City in 1970, Maloney was elected to the City Council in 1982. After successfully campaigning to represent what was then New York’s 14th Congressional District in 1992, she rose through the ranks of House leadership, becoming chairwoman of the Oversight Committee in 2019.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Maloney and Nadler, once close allies whose districts bordered each other on opposite sides of Manhattan’s Central Park, were thrown into a contentious primary battle earlier this year after an aggressive congressional map signed by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul that would have locked in an expected 22-4 partisan advantage for Democrats was stricken by a series of courts. The politicians both refused to seek new districts and began sniping at each other, with Nadler dinging Maloney for her votes in favor of the Patriot Act and the Iraq War and Maloney pushing a renewed focus on women’s rights. Businessman Suraj Patel also ran but struggled to gain ground against the two titans, placing third in Tuesday night’s contest.
New York’s 12th Congressional District has a partisan voter index of D+68, meaning Nadler is expected to win the general election in November by a large margin.
