Effie Phillips-Staley is one of the leading Democrats in the crowded New York’s 17th Congressional District primary, where she is running to challenge Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in a closely watched swing seat. Her campaign has also been pulled into a petition fraud dispute after Lawler filed a lawsuit alleging forged signatures on her ballot petitions, though her campaign denies the claims and a court upheld her petition. The race remains highly competitive as the June 23 primary approaches and the district draws heavy attention from both parties.