A state lawmaker running for Congress is facing blowback after skipping town just hours before Winter Storm Fern slammed his Big Apple district to make a “solidarity” trip to the Twin Cities.
New York Assemblyman Micah Lasher, a Democrat, jetted to Minneapolis after ICE agents fatally shot nurse Alex Jeffrey Pretti during a heated clash with protesters Saturday.
Lasher, who represents the Upper West Side, posted videos on social media from Minneapolis while a massive blizzard dumped a foot of snow on New York City — after Gov. Kathy Hochul days earlier issued a state of emergency.
“The people here are amazing. The city is amazing,” said Lasher, who is running for retiring Rep. Jerry Nadler’s House seat covering Manhattan.
“It is important for us to show solidarity with the people of Minneapolis to push back on what is happening here. … They are appreciative of it. They are engaged in a battle and they want to know that we are on their side. And we are.”
But Hank Sheinkop, an Upper West Side resident, said the lawmaker shouldn’t have abandoned his constituents. “Micah’s time would have been better spent helping his constituents shovel out the snow,” he said. “A New York City blizzard requires the help of local officials. Minnesota doesn’t.”
One Minnesota Democratic activist accused Lasher of grandstanding to propel his candidacy for Congress.
“It’s absolutely pandering and virtue signaling. You’re showing up for a photo-op?,” said Krystin Schuette, who is running for a state house seat in a suburb just outside of Minneapolis.
“If you weren’t running for Congress would you hop on a plane and come to Minneapolis to help us? Maybe his intentions are good, but it’s a little beyond the pale.”
One New York Democratic official, however, thought the trip was a smart move by Lasher and could help him in a primary election with more than a half-dozen candidates.
“The Minneapolis trip was a very clever move by Lasher — for that district at this time,” the official, who requested anonymity, said.
“Mainstream Democrats, not just the left, are furious with the ICE shootings of citizens in Minneapolis.”
Lasher defended the trip and noted that top Minnesota politicians welcomed his presence.
“Really grateful to you Micah for coming and bearing witness to what’s happening in our communities. We’re standing as strong as we can here in Minnesota. The support from around the country has meant a lot,” said Minnesota state Rep. Jamie Long.
Minnesota state Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy said, “thank you for being with us in solidarity.”
Lasher attended vigils and protests and met with state and local reps from Columbia Heights, where Liam Ramos, 5, was apprehended by ICE last week as it sought to detain his father.
Earlier this month, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was also fatally shot by an ICE agent in Minneapolis.
“It felt important to me to stand in solidarity with the people of Minneapolis after two ICE murders and months of out-of-control terror,” Lasher told The Post Monday night.
“I encourage other legislators, and anyone who can, to come here and join in any way that’s helpful in fighting back. Our Assembly office has been assisting constituents, as we do every day, and I plan to be back in Albany tomorrow for the legislative session.”