Socialist comedian seeks to unseat 26-year congressmember
Lauren Ashcraft is “here to break the system.”
A 30-year-old comedian and former J.P. Morgan project manager is challenging U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney for her seat in Congress — and hoping her bid gains traction among New York progressives in an increasingly crowded field.
Lauren Ashcraft, a democratic socialist, is running against Maloney, a 13-term incumbent, in the Democratic primary for New York’s 12th Congressional District. She is one of three challengers who hope to replace Maloney in a district that includes parts of Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn.
The district is diverse, spanning some of the nation’s wealthiest ZIP codes, such as Manhattan’s Upper East Side and Midtown, as well as poor sections, like the Queensbridge Houses — the nation’s largest public housing development. In Brooklyn, the district covers Greenpoint and parts of Williamsburg. The demographics pose unique challenges for meeting the needs of all constituents.