Brad Lander Announces Bid for NY-10, Sets Up High-Profile Democratic Primary Against Rep. Dan Goldman

Brad Lander, the outgoing New York City comptroller, announced Wednesday that he is running for Congress in New York's 10th Congressional District, launching a high-profile Democratic primary challenge to Representative Dan Goldman.

In his campaign launch video, Lander — described by his campaign as a close ally of Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani — criticized reliance on "strongly worded letters or high‑dollar fundraisers," and said his campaign will not follow what he called "AIPAC's bidding," referencing the pro‑Israel advocacy group.

"Our mayor can have an ally in Washington instead of an adversary in his own backyard," Lander said. "At a moment of dark oppression, we can shine by fighting back together. While the oligarchy drives an affordability crisis, they shouldn't be able to buy a seat in Congress. While our neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them. New York is for everyone."

Endorsements and Record

Lander's campaign has already secured endorsements from progressive leaders, including Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D‑Mass.). At 56, Lander ran an unsuccessful campaign for New York City mayor earlier this year and has served as city comptroller since 2022.

His campaign highlights include a range of accomplishments it attributes to his time as comptroller: uncovering what it says was an $80 million FEMA funding dispute with the Trump administration; investing in or preserving 50,000 affordable homes; and saving taxpayers more than $2.5 billion by identifying fraud and waste and managing the city's pension funds.

Controversy

The campaign also emphasized Lander's public opposition to former President Trump's immigration policies. Earlier this year, Lander was arrested during an incident at a federal courthouse while he and his wife were acting as advocates for defendants in immigration court. The Department of Homeland Security accused him of "assaulting law enforcement and impeding a federal officer," allegations Lander has denied.

Last weekend he attended a rally supporting a Chinese father who is in immigration detention while his 6‑year‑old son remains in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

The Race Ahead

Lander will challenge Rep. Dan Goldman in next year's Democratic primary for NY‑10, a district that covers lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn where Lander resides. Goldman, 49, has represented the district since January 2023 and previously served as lead majority counsel during the first impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump.

This contest sets up a clear choice in the Democratic primary between two candidates with high name recognition and competing progressive credentials in one of the nation's most closely watched urban districts.