Micah Lasher, the Democratic frontrunner vying to succeed the retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler of Manhattan, is actively campaigning against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. Despite his outspoken criticism, records indicate that his wife is profiting significantly from companies with substantial ICE contracts.
Lasher, an Upper East Side Assemblyman and former senior aide to Nadler, has been vocal in his condemnation of ICE, labeling it as an “agency beyond repair” and advocating for its abolition. He has also been at the forefront of protests against corporations such as Amazon and Home Depot, accusing them of benefiting from what he describes as ICE’s “cruelty.”
In an effort to appeal to the liberal voters of his district, the 44-year-old candidate has criticized his opponent, Alex Bores—an East Side assemblyman with a five-year tenure as a data scientist at Palantir Technologies, a major ICE contractor—according to reports by City & State.
In contrast to his public stance, Lasher’s wife, Elizabeth Mann, has been earning substantial income linked to ICE activities. Since her appointment to the board of directors at Motorola Solutions in August 2024, Mann has reportedly brought in $578,111, as detailed in the company’s proxy statements.
During Mann’s tenure, Motorola has secured over $21 million in contracts with ICE, supplying the agency with surveillance technology and communication services, revealing a complex interplay between public political positions and private financial interests.
During that period, Motorola has racked up more than $21 million in ICE contracts, providing it with surveillance tech and other communications services.
And since being tapped chief financial officer of Verisk Analytics in July 2022, Mann has also pocketed nearly another $17 million in salary, stock awards and other payments from the Jersey City-based company, proxy statements show.
Verisk owns a health and car-insurance database, ISO ClaimSearch, that ICE reportedly uses to track people they want to deport. ISO has access to the data through the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
âYou donât need to work at Motorola to understand the 411 on whatâs going on here: itâs a candidate who is talking out of two sides of their mouth,” said a top NYC Democratic operative. “Which version might get elected? I guess all of us are on hold?ââ
“He’s a hypocrite,” said another Dem operative.
Lasher and Bores are among the crowded field of candidates running in this yearâs Democratic primary for Manhattanâs 12th Congressional district, which includes Midtown and the Upper East Side.
Other candidates include Jack Schlossberg, grandson of former President John F. Kennedy; and George Conway, a lawyer and President Trump-hating former Republican.
Bores could not be reached for comment.
Schlossberg said he “doesn’t know much about Micah and Motorola.”
“But I do know that no one owns me,” he added.
Lasher â whose top endorsements include Nadler and ex-Mayor Michael Bloomberg â said his wife “has built an extraordinary career, leads with integrity, and I couldnât be prouder of her.
“Iâll keep on fighting ICE in Albany and to abolish it in Washington, while my opponents shovel dirt and falsehoods about my wife to the Post,” he said.
