Lawler reveals 2012 drunken driving arrest

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) has revealed a drunk driving arrest from more than a decade ago, according to a new report from a local outlet.

In the Wednesday report from News 12 New Jersey, Lawler said he was arrested for drunk driving in 2012 on St. Patrick’s Day. According to the outlet, the New York Republican had recently discovered his dad’s cancer had spread to his brain.

“You understand the severity of it, and the very likelihood that he wouldn’t have too much more time. I ultimately went down to the city and proceeded to drink, made a decision to drive home,” Lawler told the outlet.

Per News 12, Lawler was on his way home from New York City when he was pulled over. The lawmaker told the outlet he did not pass a breathalyzer test and got arrested.

Lawler is facing off against combat veteran Cait Conley (D) for his seat in November, with the two battling it out for the only toss-up seat in New York this cycle, according to the nonpartisan Cook Political Report. The 17th Congressional District is rated as “one of Democrats’ best pick-up opportunities” this election season.

Republicans are facing rocky political territory as they head into the midterms, as they’re only separated by Democrats in the House by six seats, President Trump’s approval numbers have slumped, the unpopular Iran war is nearing the five-month mark and Americans appear dissatisfied with the state of the economy.

Tags

Donald Trump

House Republicans

Michael Lawler

New York

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.