OSSINING, NY – Today, The Next 50, a powerhouse in recruiting and supporting the next generation of Democratic leaders in competitive districts, endorsed Cait Conley for Congress in New York’s 17th District. A decorated combat veteran, national security expert, and fourth-generation Hudson Valley native, Cait has spent her life answering the call to serve our country. Now, she’s bringing that same mission-first mindset to one of the most critical House races in 2026. The Next 50 highlighted Cait’s community roots, service-driven career, and battle-tested leadership as exactly what it takes to flip NY-17 and build the kind of forward-looking, durable majority Democrats need to win and lead.
“We’re proud to support Cait Conley, a proven public servant whose experience, values, and leadership are exactly what Congress needs,” said Mari Manoogian, Executive Director of The Next 50. “Cait’s national security expertise, military service, and deep community ties make her exceptionally ready to represent NY-17. She’s the kind of principled, pragmatic, and energetic leader who represents the future of the Democratic Party.”
“The Next 50 has a proven track record of identifying and enabling next-generation leaders in the battlegrounds that can lead the Democratic Party out of the wilderness, and we support them by developing their leadership capabilities and building their political and fundraising networks, and working with them as they take steps to pursue higher office,” said Manoogian. “By building a pipeline of battle-tested candidates like Cait Conley who are the right fit for their communities and the challenges before us, The Next 50 is building enduring majorities and the bench of next generation leadership for the Democratic Party.”
“The challenges our country is facing call for a new generation of leaders. Our country is at a crossroads and the politicians that got us into this mess are not the ones who will lead us out of it. My time in service, from the streets of combat zones to the White House Situation Room, has taught me what real leadership demands—accountability, courage, and putting people first,” said NY-17 Democratic candidate Cait Conley. “Now, I’m taking on my most personal mission yet, delivering for the families of NY-17. I’m running because I refuse to let dysfunction and division define our future. I’m grateful for the support of The Next 50. They know what it takes to win tough races and with their support, we’re going to flip this seat and deliver real results for NY-17 and the country.”
About Cait Conley:
Cait Conley is a fourth-generation Hudson Valley native and the daughter of a postal worker and a construction worker. She is a decorated combat veteran and national security expert who has spent her life answering the call to serve. That call began on 9/11, when, as a junior in high school, she watched the Twin Towers fall. The next day, she started the process for applying to West Point — earning acceptance and becoming the first in her family to graduate college and then going on later to attend graduate programs at Harvard and MIT. Cait served 16 years as an active duty Army officer, deploying six times to take down the world’s most dangerous terrorists, and later led counterterrorism efforts on the National Security Council and at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. Throughout her career, Cait has been called upon to solve the toughest problem and fix things that are broken. That’s why Cait is running for Congress — to fix a broken system and fight for a better future for New Yorkers.
Learn more about Cait online at CaitConley.com.