Effie Phillips-Staley, a 54-year-old Tarrytown village trustee and nonprofit leader, has officially launched her campaign for New York’s 17th Congressional District, vying for the seat currently held by Republican Rep. Mike Lawler. With the race for 2026 heating up, Phillips-Staley aims to claim the role as an unapologetically progressive voice in the crowded Democratic field.

Having filed her federal paperwork and released a campaign kickoff video on May 12, Phillips-Staley is positioning herself as a candidate who will remain steadfast in advocating for core Democratic values. In a pre-launch interview, she emphasized, “To win in this moment, we don’t need to shift to the right. We need to double down on what makes us strong—our people-powered roots.”

The 17th Congressional District, covering all of Rockland and Putnam counties, northern Westchester, and part of Dutchess, is expected to be one of the most competitive battlegrounds in 2026. Lawler, who has won the district twice, is currently weighing whether to run for governor or seek a third term in Congress. The Cook Political Report considers the district a key swing seat, with Lawler’s advantage leaning but not guaranteed.

Phillips-Staley’s Progressive Platform

As a Democrat running for Congress, Phillips-Staley intends to focus on issues crucial to her working-class upbringing. The daughter of a combat veteran and an immigrant from El Salvador, she has seen firsthand the struggles that everyday Americans face under policies from the Trump administration. Her campaign priorities include addressing the ongoing housing affordability crisis, tackling climate change, and protecting abortion rights.

“There is simply not enough housing, and its effect on people’s lives is tangible,” Phillips-Staley stated, calling for actionable solutions in these areas.

The Growing Democratic Field

Effie Phillips-Staley joins a growing list of Democrats vying for the 17th District seat, with five other contenders already in the race for the party’s nomination. The other candidates include:

• Rockland County Legislator Beth Davidson

• Cait Conley, a 16-year Army veteran and former Biden administration national security official

• Former journalist Mike Sacks

• Former FBI analyst John Sullivan

• Jessica Reinmann, founder of the anti-poverty nonprofit 914Cares

Mike Lawler’s campaign spokesperson, Chris Russell, responded to Phillips-Staley’s entry into the race with a jab, calling the Democratic field a “clown car primary,” adding that the contest is turning into a battle for the “most radical” position.

A District in Flux

The future of New York’s 17th District remains uncertain as Rep. Mike Lawler decides whether to run for governor or for a third term in Congress. His decision, expected by June, will impact the makeup of what is already shaping up to be a heated battle for this pivotal seat.

Effie Phillips-Staley is determined to make her voice heard in this pivotal election, bringing her experience as a trustee and nonprofit leader to her campaign for Congress. As she pushes forward with her progressive vision for the district, Phillips-Staley’s campaign is one to watch in the 2026 race for New York’s 17th Congressional District.