How to fire up 2026's hottest House race

How to fire up 2026’s hottest House race
Ranked choice voting would help Democrats choose the strongest candidate in the NY-12 primary

By David Daley
Contributing Writer
Published January 11, 2026 6:30AM (EST)


(Salon) New York City’s hottest club is the Democratic primary for the 12th congressional district. This race has everything. Never Trump poster-boy George Conway has joined a famous legal pundit, a big-time finance guy, the hottest politicians and even a Kennedy. Best of all, one of them will get an automatic ticket to an even more exclusive room: Congress.

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The large and growing field — which includes JFK’s grandson Jack Schlossberg and now Conway, one of the most prominent conservatives to depart the GOP over Donald Trump — should be great news. Voters will have a rich choice from a group of interesting candidates representing many different backgrounds and generations.

All these options would be better still — and produce a more representative result — with ranked choice voting.

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In a ranked choice election, voters have the power to rank the field in order: first, second, third and so on. If someone wins 50% of first choices, they win, like any other election. If no one does, an “instant runoff” takes place. The candidates at the bottom are eliminated. If your candidate remains, your vote stays with them. If they’re at the bottom, then your second choice comes into play. This continues until someone reaches a majority.

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Meanwhile, in Michigan’s Democratic Senate primary, three young Democrats with distinct bases are locked into a race with the potential to turn divisive. The contenders include incumbent Rep. Haley Stevens, a rising star in State Sen. Mallory McMorrow and the Bernie Sanders-endorsed former public health official Abdul El-Sayed. Democrats must hold this seat to have any chance at capturing the Senate. The winner of this primary might have earned little more than a third of the vote, and will enter the fall’s general election bloodied from high-profile slings and arrows from their own side. And two of these strong Democrats will be damaged from friendly fire. ..................(more)

https://www.salon.com/2026/01/11/how-to-fire-up-2026s-hottest-house-race/