Nadler facing Gen Z primary challenger

Nonprofit CEO and activist Liam Elkind launched a primary challenge against longtime Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) on Wednesday, citing the issue of age. 

In a two-minute launch video, Elkind, 26, noted he appreciates the 78-year-old Nadler’s service in office and said he grew up voting for him. 

“But we need new leaders to meet this moment, because we can’t wait.” Elkind said. “We can’t wait to fight Trump, end corruption, ban corporate PAC money, impose term limits, build more housing and serve our neighbors in need.” 

Elkind also declares in the video that “the Democratic Party is dying,” showing media coverage of Democratic lawmakers who have died recently.

“And the leaders who got us here are refusing to retire with devastating consequences,” he continues. “In the last five months, three House Democrats have passed away, allowing Trump’s billionaire bill gutting health care and food stamps for millions of people to go through by one vote.”

Elkind’s primary challenge against Nadler, who was first elected to Congress in 1992, comes as there have been more conversations about lawmakers’ age, particularly among Democrats. Former President Biden came under scrutiny for initially running for reelection amid questions about his own fitness for office, while a number of Democratic lawmakers, most recently Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.), have died in office. 

Additionally, former Democratic National Committee Vice Chair David Hogg made waves when he launched his group Leaders We Deserve in an effort to elect a new generation of lawmakers and drew headlines for the group’s $20 million effort to primary safe House Democrats.

Nadler has a strong record of defeating past primary challengers and won reelection in 2022 after he faced off against another incumbent following redistricting.

Elkind told CNN he was motivated to run for Congress after he approached Nadler at an event earlier this year and asked him what the plan was going forward for Democrats under a second Trump administration. According to Elkind, Nadler told him Trump’s tariffs would crash the economy and help Democrats in the midterms. Elkind told CNN he felt Nadler’s comments were an “unstrategic take.”

A spokesperson for Nadler told CNN there was not time to talk strategy at the event. 

“Congressman Nadler will stake his record of accomplishments against anyone,” Rob Gottheim told the network. “Unfortunately, with this individual, I don’t think there’s any record to speak of.”