WASHINGTON (AP) — George Conway, a former conservative lawyer and known critic of President Donald Trump, is making moves to run for Congress in an open seat in New York City. On Monday, Conway filed the necessary paperwork to enter the race as a Democrat in the 12th Congressional District, although he has yet to make an official announcement and his campaign has not commented on the matter.

If he proceeds with his candidacy, Conway would join a list of high-profile contenders in a crowded primary race to succeed retiring Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler, who has held the seat for many years in this Manhattan-based district.

Initially, Conway had supported Trump during the president's first term, being married to Kellyanne Conway, who served as a senior presidential adviser. However, he has since become one of Trump's most vocal critics, often using social media and cable news platforms to denounce the former president’s actions, which starkly contrasts his wife’s defense of Trump.

Conway played a significant role in the political landscape as a co-founder of the anti-Trump Lincoln Project. Notably, the Conways announced their divorce in early 2023, marking a personal and professional turning point for George.

Other prominent figures are also in the race, including Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, who announced his candidacy in November, and Micah Lasher, a former aide to Nadler who currently serves as a state lawmaker.

The 12th Congressional District encompasses a diverse area, stretching from Union Square to the northern edge of Central Park, including wealthy neighborhoods such as the Upper East Side and Upper West Side.