Photos have surfaced showing New York Congressman Mike Lawler dressed in blackface at a college Halloween party, sparking controversy just weeks before the November election. The images, obtained by The New York Times, show a 20-year-old Lawler in darkened skin makeup, dressed as the late pop icon Michael Jackson at a Halloween gathering at Manhattan College in 2006. Lawler, who represents New York’s 17th Congressional District, is currently in a tightly contested race for his seat, facing former U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones.
The timing of the photos’ release has intensified the already heated race for the district, which includes Rockland and Putnam Counties, as well as parts of Westchester and Dutchess Counties. Lawler, a first-term Republican congressman, has not yet publicly responded to the images, though the backlash is mounting from political opponents and civil rights groups alike.
The emergence of the photos has ignited outrage across social media, with many calling for Lawler to apologize or step down. Critics say the images, which show him striking a Michael Jackson pose while wearing blackface, are emblematic of racial insensitivity and cultural ignorance. “Blackface has a painful and racist history in this country, and these images are deeply disturbing,” said one Rockland County resident on social media.
Former U.S. Representative Mondaire Jones, who is challenging Lawler for the seat, issued a statement condemning the photos. “This type of behavior is unacceptable and has no place in public office,” Jones said. “We need leaders who understand the gravity of our nation’s history of racial injustice and who will work to bring people together, not further divide them.”
Civil rights organizations have also weighed in. The New York chapter of the NAACP released a statement calling the photos “deeply offensive” and urging voters to hold their representatives accountable for such actions. “Blackface is an act that perpetuates harmful stereotypes and racial discrimination,” the statement read. “We expect better from our elected officials.”
Lawler, who was elected in 2022, has been locked in a tough re-election battle in a district that has leaned Democratic in previous cycles. The district was previously represented by Mondaire Jones, a progressive Democrat, who is looking to regain the seat. The race was already expected to be close, but the release of the photos could have a significant impact on Lawler’s standing with moderate and independent voters in the region.
Political analysts suggest that the photos could become a focal point of attack ads and further complicate Lawler’s path to re-election. “This kind of revelation, especially so close to the election, can be a game-changer in a district where voters are sensitive to issues of race and representation,” said political analyst John McClellan.
The release of these images adds to a broader national debate on the past actions of public officials and how they should be held accountable. In recent years, several high-profile politicians have faced backlash over past behavior involving blackface, sparking conversations about racism, privilege, and accountability in public life.
For now, the Lawler campaign remains in crisis mode, with many watching closely to see how the congressman responds. Political observers expect Lawler will need to address the controversy head-on if he hopes to maintain any chance of securing re-election in a district that is increasingly competitive.
As the race enters its final stretch, the fallout from these photos will likely dominate the conversation in the 17th Congressional District, further elevating the stakes of this key race.
