Mike Lawler latest to host town hall but first to ban filming
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) recently held his second town hall event in a week, this time in Somers, New York, where he faced a rowdy crowd that took the possibility to express their frustrations with lawmakers. This follows a trend of contentious Republican town halls, prompting National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) to suggest that members should avoid in-person gatherings to prevent disturbances. Lawler’s town halls required attendees to RSVP and verify their residency in the competitive 17th congressional district,which has not elected a Republican as 1980.
At the event, participants were asked not to record the proceedings, and tensions escalated when a woman, known agitator Emily Feiner, was removed by police, leading to audience chants of “let her stay” and “shame.” Lawler found himself defending Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., despite previously disagreeing with Kennedy’s views on vaccines. amid speculation that he may run for governor in the upcoming election, Lawler’s engagement with challenging audiences underscores the high stakes in this competitive political landscape.
Mike Lawler latest to host town hall but first to ban filming
Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) held his second town hall in a week Sunday that was just as rowdy as the first.
Lawler’s event in Somers, New York is the latest example of Republican town halls going sideways as frustrated attendees have taken the events as an opportunity to vocally air their grievances with lawmakers. As a result, National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson (R-NC) told members that they should cease holding in-person town halls to stop encouraging such actors.
Both town halls required attendees to RSVP and prove they lived in New York’s 17th district, which is a highly contested congressional district. Lawler has held the district since 2022 and widened the gap of winning votes in his second election last year. The district hadn’t elected a Republican candidate since 1980 and also voted for Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.
Attendees were asked not to record the event. A sign at the door asked everyone there to “be respectful of one another, of staff, and of the Congressman.”
“This is what democracy looks like,” Lawler opened the town hall, prompting laughter from the audience.
One woman, Emily Feiner, was removed from the event, carried away by police. It remains to be seen whether she was arrested. A source familiar told the Washington Examiner that Feiner is a “known agitator.” The audience chanted “let her stay” as officers carried her off and began a new chant of “shame” once she was officially escorted out.
While press photographers captured the altercation, Jennifer Cabrera, chair of the Westchester-Putnam chapter of the Working Families Party recorded Feiner’s removal and was subsequently asked to leave.
For a second time, Lawler found himself defending Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. While last week he admitted that he disagreed with Kennedy’s stance on vaccines, on Sunday he celebrated the secretary’s fight against petroleum-based dyes as the audience yelled out at the mention of Kennedy.
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As the 2026 election approaches, rumors continue to swirl that Lawler will jump in the race for governor of New York. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) is wrapping up her first full term as governor in her second election to the position next year. Her first true election proved to be a close battle as the Republican candidate Lee Zeldin lost to her by fewer than 10 points, which was the narrowest victory in the gubernatorial race since 1994. Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) is also rumored to run for the office.
Rep. Byron Donalds (R-FL) is another representative defying the policy against town halls as he is campaigning to become Florida’s governor. President Donald Trump and Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA) are among those who have endorsed Donalds.
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