Brad Lander, the chief fiscal officer of New York City, announced Wednesday that he is challenging U.S. Rep Dan Goldman in a Democratic primary for a liberal district covering lower Manhattan and parts of brownstone Brooklyn.
A longtime fixture of the city鈥檚 progressive wing, Lander launched his bid with endorsements from Mayor-elect and Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, promising 鈥渃ourageous leadership in the face of Donald Trump鈥檚 attacks on New Yorkers.鈥�
鈥淲hile the oligarchy drives the affordability crisis, they shouldn鈥檛 be able to buy a seat in Congress,鈥� Lander said in a campaign video, an apparent reference to Goldman, who is an heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune.
He then touted his relationship with Mamdani, whom Goldman had declined to endorse in the mayor鈥檚 race, in part because of differences in their .
鈥淥ur mayor can have an ally in Washington instead of an adversary in his own backyard,鈥� Lander said. 鈥淚鈥檓 running for Congress because the challenges we face can鈥檛 be solved with strongly worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers, and not by doing AIPAC鈥檚 bidding.”
Mamdani’s endorsement of Lander marked the mayor-elect’s most high-profile incursion into national politics since his stunning victory. It comes as other progressives are hoping to capitalize on that momentum with a spate of challenges to moderate Democrats in 2026.
鈥淏rad鈥檚 unwavering principles, deep knowledge, and sincere empathy are what make him a true leader,鈥� Mamdani said. 鈥淗e has been a trusted ally and partner of mine and I鈥檓 proud to support him as I know he鈥檒l continue delivering for those who need government to show up for them the most.”
Lander鈥檚 term as city comptroller ends on Dec. 31 after he decided not to seek reelection.
Lander and Mamdani endorsed one another during the mayoral primary in an effort, under , to join forces against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who at the time was the front-runner.
The partnership appeared to help them both. Mamdani鈥檚 support boosted Lander among the progressive base, while the backing of a high-profile Jewish candidate helped Mamdani as he faced attacks over his criticism of .
Lander, who is also a former city council member, has been eyeing a challenge to Goldman since losing to Mamdani this summer.
Both Lander and Goldman have been vocal critics of , appearing at a high-profile immigration court in Manhattan to observe proceedings over the last several months.
Lander was twice and stemming from one of the incidents.
Goldman, a two-term congressman, is a former federal prosecutor who was lead counsel for Trump鈥檚 first impeachment. While in Congress, Goldman has supported raising taxes on wealthy people as well as the Green New Deal climate change proposal. He is a supporter of Israel but has been heavily critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has condemned settler violence.
Maddy Rosen, a spokesperson for Goldman’s campaign, said 鈥淒an is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what they鈥檙e doing to immigrant families in his district right now. He鈥檚 proud of his progressive record in Congress and will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year.”
In his campaign video, Lander also evoked the late children鈥檚 TV host Fred Rogers, singing 鈥淲ould you be mine? Could you be mine? Won鈥檛 you be my neighbor?鈥�
鈥淚 know it鈥檚 corny, but I love the idea that democracy is just neighbors working together to make our lives in common better,鈥� he said.
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Associated Press writer Dave Collins in Hartford, Connecticut, contributed to this report.
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