NYC Comptroller enters crowded primary race against Rep. Dan Goldman in District 10
A Progressive Challenge in New York’s 10th District
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander officially launched his campaign for Congress on Wednesday, challenging incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in what promises to be a heated Democratic primary in the city’s 10th Congressional District. According to CNN and ABC7 New York reporting, Lander secured the immediate endorsement of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, along with progressive heavyweights Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. The race will serve as a crucial test for New York’s progressive movement following Mamdani’s successful mayoral campaign and will showcase ongoing debates about Israel policy within the Democratic Party.
Lander, 56, has been a fixture in New York City politics for years. He served a decade in the City Council representing parts of Brooklyn before being elected Comptroller, a position in which he oversees the city’s pension funds and investments. He most recently ran in the crowded Democratic mayoral primary, where he came in third behind Mamdani and former Governor Andrew Cuomo. His strong showing in that race demonstrated his appeal among progressive voters, making him a formidable challenger to Goldman in a district with a significant left-leaning constituency. For analysis of congressional races and campaign dynamics, resources like Inside Elections (https://insideelections.com/) provide non-partisan election forecasting.
The Mamdani Connection
Mayor-elect Mamdani’s endorsement carries particular weight given his recent electoral success. The two politicians cross-endorsed each other during the mayoral primary, with voters able to rank candidates under New York City’s ranked-choice voting system. Mamdani praised Lander in a statement reported by ABC7, saying, “Brad’s unwavering principles, deep knowledge, and sincere empathy are what make him a true leader. He has been a trusted ally and partner of mine and I’m proud to support him as I know he’ll continue delivering for those who need government to show up for them the most.”
However, CNN reported that the political relationship between Mamdani and Lander has shown some cracks in recent months. Despite their mutual support during the mayoral race, Lander did not receive a position in Mamdani’s administration as many expected. Some observers had anticipated Lander might be offered a role overseeing housing or budget policy given his expertise, but Mamdani has so far announced only a limited number of key positions. The congressional race potentially provides a graceful path for Lander that advances progressive causes while allowing both politicians to maintain their alliance. Organizations like the Progressive Change Campaign Committee (https://boldprogressives.org/) track progressive electoral strategy.
Making the Case Against Goldman
In his campaign announcement video, Lander positioned himself as a stronger voice to oppose President Trump and emphasized his decades of public service as a housing organizer, City Councilmember, and Comptroller. According to ABC7’s reporting, the video highlighted viral footage from earlier this year when Lander was arrested at 26 Federal Plaza while attempting to observe conditions and treatment of immigrants at federal court in lower Manhattan. Lander drew national attention for this act of civil disobedience, conducted alongside a group of state lawmakers.
Lander’s campaign statement, cited by ABC7, emphasized his track record: he “exposed Donald Trump’s theft of $80 million in FEMA funds and forced the City into court to get it back,” “saved taxpayers over $2.5 billion by rooting out fraud and waste,” “divested from fossil fuels,” and invested pension funds to build or save 50,000 affordable homes. These accomplishments demonstrate both his progressive credentials and his ability to deliver concrete resultsa combination that will be central to his appeal against Goldman. The Center for Responsive Politics (https://www.opensecrets.org/) tracks campaign financing and political contributions.
The AIPAC Factor
A significant element of Lander’s campaign is his criticism of Rep. Goldman’s relationship with the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which backs pro-Israeli candidates. In his announcement video, CNN reported that Lander said, “The challenges we face can’t be solved with strongly worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers, and not by doing AIPAC’s bidding in a district that knows our safety, our freedom, our thriving is bound up together.” This line of attack reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy, particularly following the October 7, 2023 Hamas attacks and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Lander, who is Jewish, is positioning himself as offering a different perspective on Israel-Palestine issues than Goldman, who has been a strong defender of Israel in Congress. The 10th District includes diverse constituencies with varying views on Middle East policy, from progressive voters critical of Israeli government actions to more traditional supporters of U.S.-Israel relations. How Lander navigates this complex political terrain will be crucial to his campaign’s success. Organizations like Americans for Peace Now (https://peacenow.org/) represent progressive Jewish perspectives on Israel policy.
Goldman’s Response and Record
Rep. Dan Goldman, also a Democrat, responded to Lander’s challenge with measured comments. According to CNN, a spokesperson for Goldman stated, “Dan is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what they’re doing to immigrant families in his district right now. He’s proud of his progressive record in Congress and will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year.” In an evening statement reported by ABC7, Goldman said he is “laser-focused” on the Trump administration and that he has “no ill will towards” Lander.
Goldman’s emphasis on his work against Trump and for immigrant families represents an attempt to establish progressive credentials while avoiding immediate engagement in what could become a contentious primary battle. His relatively short tenure in Congresshe was first elected in 2022means he lacks the extensive legislative record that longer-serving members could point to, but his high-profile role as a House impeachment manager during Trump’s first presidency gave him national recognition. Resources like GovTrack (https://www.govtrack.us/) provide detailed congressional voting records and bill sponsorship data.
The May Arrest and Immigrant Advocacy
Lander’s arrest earlier this year became a defining moment that he prominently features in his campaign messaging. According to ABC7, Lander and a group of state lawmakers were arrested while attempting to observe conditions at federal immigration court in lower Manhattan. Rather than simply paying a fine, Lander took his case to trial and pleaded not guilty in December to low-level misdemeanor charges of trespassing and blocking federal operations. This willingness to face potential legal consequences for his advocacy demonstrates the intensity of his commitment to immigrant rightsa key issue in a district with significant immigrant populations.
In his campaign video, Lander referenced his arrest, stating, “While our immigrant neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them.” The video likened his attitude to Fred Rogers in “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood,” quoting the children’s television host’s philosophy: “Democracy is just neighbors working together to make our lives in common better.” This framing attempts to present progressive activism as fundamentally about community and mutual support rather than partisan conflict. Organizations like the National Immigration Law Center (https://www.nilc.org/) provide resources on immigration policy and advocacy.
Progressive Movement Consolidation
An important development reported by CNN is that Council Member Alexa Aviles, who had been expected to run in the race and secured backing from the New York City chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, announced she would not run shortly after Lander’s announcement. This quick consolidation of the progressive field suggests that left-leaning political organizations recognized early on that splitting the vote among multiple candidates would only benefit Goldman. The DSA’s decision to back out rather than divide progressive support demonstrates strategic thinking within the movement.
Lander’s endorsements further bolster his position as the unified progressive choice. Senators Sanders and Warren are among the most prominent left-wing voices in American politics, and their backing will help Lander with fundraising and volunteer recruitment. Public Advocate Jumaane Williams adds local credibility. The Working Families Party’s endorsement, reported by ABC7, brings organizational infrastructure critical for voter outreach in a New York City primary. Groups like Justice Democrats (https://justicedemocrats.com/) support progressive primary challenges.
District Demographics and Electoral Dynamics
New York’s 10th Congressional District serves parts of Brooklyn and Manhattan, including neighborhoods with diverse economic and demographic characteristics. The district includes wealthy areas like parts of the Upper West Side and Brooklyn Heights, working-class neighborhoods, and communities with significant immigrant populations. This diversity means successful candidates must build coalitions across different constituencies with varying priorities and concerns.
The district’s Jewish population is substantial, making Israel policy a particularly sensitive issue. Both Lander and Goldman are Jewish, but they represent different perspectives within the Jewish community on Israel-Palestine questions. The outcome may provide insights into where the center of gravity lies within Jewish Democratic voters on these issues, particularly among younger generations who polling suggests are more critical of Israeli government policies than older cohorts. Research from the Jewish Electorate Institute (https://www.jewishelectorateinstitute.org/) tracks Jewish voter attitudes and behaviors.
Implications for National Politics
While this is a local congressional race, it carries national significance. Progressive primary challenges to incumbent Democrats test the movement’s strength and ability to expand its representation in Congress. If Lander succeeds, it would demonstrate that the energy behind Mamdani’s mayoral victory extends to congressional races and that progressive candidates can win even when challenging sitting representatives. Conversely, a Goldman victory would suggest limits to progressive electoral power and the enduring appeal of more centrist Democratic positioning.
The race also serves as a microcosm of larger debates within the Democratic Party about Israel policy, immigration, economic policy, and the appropriate relationship between progressives and the party establishment. National political observers will watch closely to see whether Lander’s coalitioncombining democratic socialists, traditional progressives, immigrant rights advocates, and activists critical of AIPACcan overcome Goldman’s advantages as an incumbent with name recognition and establishment support. Think tanks like the Center for American Progress (https://www.americanprogress.org/) analyze Democratic Party coalitions and strategy.
The Road Ahead
The Democratic primary in New York’s 10th District will take place in June 2026, giving both campaigns several months to organize and make their cases to voters. Lander will need to build a robust ground game, raise substantial funds, and articulate a clear message about why the district needs new representation despite Goldman’s incumbency. Goldman, meanwhile, must defend his record while appealing to the district’s progressive voters without alienating more moderate constituents.
As Mayor-elect Mamdani prepares to take office, his endorsement of Lander adds another dimension to the political landscape he will navigate. If Lander wins, Mamdani will have a close ally in Congress who can help advocate for city priorities in Washington. If Goldman prevails, the mayor will need to manage a relationship with a congressman he opposed. Either way, the race underscores the ongoing realignment within New York Democratic politics and the continued relevance of progressive organizing even after electoral successes like Mamdani’s mayoral victory. Organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice (https://www.brennancenter.org/) analyze democratic participation and electoral reform.
