Rep. Jerry Nadler’s (D-N.Y.) Gen Z primary challenger Liam Elkind’s campaign said on Thursday it pulled in over $340,000 in fundraising in its first day.
“In just one day, Liam didn’t just outraise a 32-year incumbent’s entire last quarter, he eclipsed their entire war chest,” Elkind’s campaign adviser David Epstein said in a statement.
“That’s not just momentum, it’s a movement. It’s no secret that New Yorkers are demanding bold, new leadership. This surge of grassroots support shows that Liam’s unapologetically progressive vision is striking a powerful chord. This is just the beginning,” he continued.
The Hill was the first outlet to report on Elkind’s fundraising haul.
Nadler reported raising over $91,000 in the second quarter of the year and has over $243,000 cash on hand.
Elkind, 26, launched his challenge against Nadler, 78, on Wednesday, focusing explicitly on the issue of age.
In his launch video, Elkind said he appreciates Nadler’s service in office, noting that 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.”
Nadler, who was first elected to Congress in 1992, has a strong record of defeating past primary challengers and won reelection in 2022 after he faced off against another incumbent following redistricting.
The debate surrounding the age of elected officials in the Democratic Party has grown in recent months. 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.
