Westchester Parents Endorse GOP Lawler Over Sanctuary Policies

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, October 1, 2026

The parents of Sheridan Gorman, a Loyola University student killed by an undocumented migrant, have endorsed Republican Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th Congressional District, blaming Democratic challenger Cait Conley’s support for sanctuary policies for their daughter’s death. This endorsement, featured in a new TV ad, highlights sanctuary laws as a central issue in the race, with Lawler opposing such policies and Conley supporting limits on local cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

The parents of Sheridan Gorman, a Loyola University student who was fatally shot earlier this year, have publicly endorsed Republican incumbent Mike Lawler in New York’s 17th Congressional District, criticizing Democratic challenger Cait Conley for her support of sanctuary policies. The endorsement was featured in a new television advertisement that began airing Wednesday morning.

Sheridan Gorman, 18, was killed on March 19 while walking with friends near Lake Michigan in Chicago. The suspect, José Medina, an undocumented Venezuelan migrant, is accused of shooting Gorman. Medina reportedly had previous interactions with law enforcement but was released prior to the fatal incident. Gorman’s parents, Jessica and Tom, attributed the tragedy to Democrats’ sanctuary policies, including those endorsed by New York Governor Kathy Hochul. The couple stated in the ad that these policies contributed to their daughter’s death and called for a change.

Governor Hochul signed a state law earlier this year prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in immigration enforcement efforts. Chicago similarly enforces sanctuary laws that limit local collaboration with federal immigration authorities.

Cait Conley has expressed her support for federal legislation that would bar agreements between county police and ICE aimed at immigration enforcement, according to her campaign website. Conley is an Army veteran and West Point graduate who served in the Department of Homeland Security during the Biden administration. Lawler, who is a former state assemblyman with a longstanding role in GOP politics, is seeking a third term representing the district.

The new ad underscores the ongoing debate over sanctuary policies within the region, with the Lawler campaign positioning itself against such measures and tying them to public safety concerns stemming from Gorman’s case. Conley’s support for limiting local-federal cooperation on immigration enforcement continues to be a key point of divergence between the candidates in the closely watched race.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.