'Even Jesus couldn't have won': Republican Mike Lawler on election defeat in New York

Republican congressman Mike Lawler has blamed the political climate for his defeat in the US midterm elections, claiming that even Jesus Christ would have failed to win his New York seat as Democrats made significant gains across the country.Lawler, 40, lost his re-election bid to Democrat Cait Conley in New York's 17th congressional district, which covers parts of the Hudson Valley.He secured 47.8% of the vote against Conley's 52.1%, ending his stint in the House of Representatives. Speaking to CNN's Manu Raju after the defeat, Lawler said he had run the best possible campaign but that "the bottom fell out".Recounting the conversation during a broadcast with anchor Anderson Cooper, Raju said he had pressed Lawler on what he meant. The Republican then reportedly replied, "Jesus Christ could have run and would have lost."Lawler says political tide was against RepublicansLawler conceded defeat on Tuesday night, even before all votes had been counted in Westchester County, saying the final results would make his loss clear."When all of the votes are counted tomorrow in Westchester it’s going to be pretty clear we’re going to be short."I have never been afforded in any of my elections a concession on election night and I fundamentally believe it’s the right thing to do. And so I congratulate Cait on her win and wish her well as our next member of Congress."Both Lawler and Conley had campaigned as centrists, attempting to appeal to voters unhappy with the economy and the Iran war. But the issues proved difficult for the Republican to navigate amid a wider backlash against his party.In Congress, Lawler had tried to distinguish himself from more hardline Republicans by taking positions that crossed party lines. He signed a Democratic-backed discharge petition seeking a vote on extending expired Affordable Care Act subsidies for another three years. He also supported efforts to raise the cap on deductions for state and local taxes.However, he had also been involved in a high-profile confrontation with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries over last year's record-breaking government shutdown. The heated exchange went viral and added to Lawler's public profile.Marjorie Taylor Greene targets LawlerLawler has also faced criticism from within the Republican Party, particularly over his relationship with US President Donald Trump.Earlier this year, former Republican congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene claimed that Lawler had privately disliked Trump and frequently mocked him before the president returned to power.Speaking to Tucker Carlson, Greene alleged that Lawler had ridiculed Trump's voice and attacked her for supporting him during the years before the 2024 presidential election."He hated Donald Trump, made fun of him constantly, mimicked him, making fun of his voice. He used to attack me, make fun of me, come and find me on the House floor, and make fun of me for supporting Donald Trump, and this was in the four years before Trump got elected as president again in 2024," she said.Greene claimed Lawler's attitude changed once Trump became the Republican presidential nominee again."I saw this unbelievable change in him," she told Carlson. "All of a sudden, Mike Lawler – I started joking. I started calling him MAGA Mike Lawler because he was all of a sudden becoming Trump’s biggest supporter."Lawler hit back at Greene in May, dismissing her allegations."Marjorie Taylor Greene, AKA Jewish Space Laser Lady, AKA Moscow Marge, AKA one of the dumbest people to ever serve in Congress, has zero credibility on any issue. Unlike Marjorie, who went from sycophant to psychopath in the span of five years, I’ve always been true to who I am and what I believe... Marjorie can go sit and spin, as she goes down in history as one of the least liked and most ignorant members to ever serve", he told The Indpendent.Lawler's defeat comes as Republicans face a difficult political reckoning after the midterm elections, with Democrats making gains and the party's candidates struggling to overcome voter dissatisfaction with the state of the country.You use AI every day. Now get your AI Quotient. Take the AIQ test.