Democratic congressional candidate Cait Conley has shifted her position on tariffs, admitting that some are justifiable for national security reasons. Conley, who is challenging Republican Rep. Mike Lawler for the Hudson Valley congressional seat, made the remarks during a candidate forum in Poughkeepsie.
Previously, Conley had been a vocal critic of tariffs, describing former President Donald Trump's trade policies as "reckless" and "illegal." In a June post, she stated, "We must stop the bleeding this administration has caused by ending illegal tariffs that are driving up the cost of everything from prescription drugs to housing."
During the Dutchess County Chamber of Commerce forum, Conley was asked a series of yes-or-no questions. When asked if she believed some tariffs were reasonable, she responded, "Yes, in principle," citing national security and alternative energy investment as areas where tariffs could be applied judiciously. She described the ideal use of tariffs as a "scalpel" rather than a "bulldozer," a strategy she attributed to the Trump administration.
Lawler, who secured the seat in 2022 by defeating former Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney, seized on Conley's revised stance. "After a whole year and a half of bashing tariffs, she said she supports them. I mean, frankly that’s fascinating," Lawler told reporters after the forum. He questioned her previous criticisms, stating, "If that’s her position, then I’m not really sure what the hell she’s been attacking me on."
The race between Conley and Lawler is considered New York's sole tossup congressional contest in the upcoming midterm elections. A Conley victory would not only represent a gain for Democrats in New York but could also be significant in the party's broader effort to regain control of the House of Representatives.
Conley, a former intelligence and national security official in the Biden administration, won a competitive Democratic primary. Her campaign has focused on Lawler's ties to former President Trump, who endorsed the incumbent last year. Lawler presents himself as a moderate Republican appealing to swing voters in the suburban district, which spans parts of Westchester, Putnam, and Dutchess counties.