Lander enters the race with the backing of a number of of the nation’s most distinguished progressive leaders, together with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
The outgoing comptroller, who didn’t run for re-election this 12 months in lieu of a failed bid for the Democratic mayoral nomination, kicked off his bid for New York’s tenth Congressional District with a Mister Rogers–themed video launched earlier Wednesday morning. The district spans Decrease Manhattan, together with Tribeca and Chinatown, in addition to a big swath of northwest Brooklyn, encompassing Sundown Park and Park Slope.
Goldman, first elected in 2022 after narrowly successful a crowded main, has gained nationwide consideration for his aggressive criticism of President Donald Trump, significantly on immigration. However he has confronted growing friction with progressives over his staunch help for Israel, which has grown extra seen since Mamdani’s decisive victories in each the June main and November common election.
When requested about Lander’s problem, Goldman’s marketing campaign spokesperson Maddy Rosen stated the congressman “will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year.”
“Dan is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what they’re doing to immigrant families in his district right now,” Rosen stated, including that Goldman is “proud of his progressive record in Congress.”
‘It’s a stupendous day for a marketing campaign launch…’ for Lander
Lander’s launch video makes sharp contrasts with the incumbent, criticizing “high-dollar fundraisers,” “doing AIPAC’s bidding,” and what he described as “strongly worded letters” within the face of great crises.
“In a district that knows our safety, our freedom, our thriving is bound up together … at a moment of dark oppression, we can shine by fighting back together,” he says, earlier than closing with a nod to Mister Rogers and some notes of “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” the theme music to “Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood.”
Picture by Brad Lander marketing campaign/X
The announcement additionally highlights Lander’s latest clashes with federal immigration authorities.
In September, the comptroller was arrested together with a number of different elected officers at 26 Federal Plaza after trying to examine a holding space that advocates say ICE has been utilizing as an advert hoc detention website for migrants leaving immigration court docket. Federal brokers charged him with a misdemeanor for allegedly obstructing the elevator foyer.
Lander has rejected a plea provide and pushed again on the fees, accusing ICE of misusing the federal workplace constructing as a de facto detention middle with harsh and unsafe situations. He argues the company, not elected officers, is answerable for obstructing the constructing’s “usual use” by protecting migrants on a ground that lacks beds, hygiene provides and ample oversight. He’s due again in court docket later this month.
Regardless of his congressional problem, Lander has additionally not too long ago labored alongside Goldman on immigration-related points. In late September, the 2 issued a joint letter urging the Division of Homeland Safety to refer for felony prosecution an ICE agent who was caught on video allegedly shoving a girl to the bottom in entrance of her youngsters at 26 Federal Plaza. They known as the agent’s reinstatement “outrageous,” urging federal authorities to take speedy motion.
June 17, 2025: Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander was arrested and accosted by masked federal brokers at immigration court docket in Decrease Manhattan.Picture by Dean Moses
Lander’s marketing campaign platform facilities on resisting authoritarianism, increasing reasonably priced housing, strengthening employee protections and reshaping U.S. international coverage. The platform highlights his report on housing, from anti-eviction work and affordable-housing improvement to the Gowanus rezoning, in addition to his workplace’s intervention that preserved greater than 35,000 reasonably priced items following the collapse of Signature Financial institution. He additionally cites his work securing paid sick depart, gig-worker protections and better wages for supply employees and ride-hail drivers.
On international coverage, Lander advocates for “bridges, not bombs,” calling for lowered navy spending, higher funding in international improvement and human rights, and a reassertion of Congress’s constitutional authority. He has lengthy opposed Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories and argues that Israelis “will only be safe and free when Palestinians are free and safe.”
Progressive lane takes form
Earlier than Lander started mulling on a potential Congressional bid, it had been broadly speculated that he may be part of the incoming Mamdani administration, provided that the 2 cross-endorsed throughout the ranked-choice main, a transfer essential to Mamdani’s victory.
After conceding that mayoral main, Lander, who’s Jewish, emphasised the importance of his alliance with Mamdani, who’s Muslim.
“We are not going to let anyone divide Muslim New Yorkers and Jewish New Yorkers,” Lander stated. “Our safety, our hopes and our freedoms are bound up together — don’t get it twisted.”
Throughout his marketing campaign launch video, Lander tells voters that Mayor-elect Mamdani “can have an ally in Washington instead of an adversary in his own backyard.” Goldman, for his half, didn’t endorse Mamdani within the mayor’s race however stated after his victory that he appeared ahead to working with him.
In his backing of Lander’s problem to Goldman, Mayor-elect Mamdani known as Lander a “true leader,” “trusted ally” and “partner.”
“Brad’s unwavering principles, deep knowledge, and sincere empathy are what make him a true leader,” Mamdani stated in an announcement. “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.”
The speedy endorsement indicators a measure of loyalty but in addition Mamdani’s willingness to problem the Democratic institution, significantly after Mamdani not too long ago advocated towards the Democratic Socialists of America backing Brooklyn Council Member Chi Ossé’s problem to Home Democratic Chief Hakeem Jeffries. Ossé, nevertheless, formally dropped his main bid final week.
Zohran Mamdani and Brad Lander at Mamdani’s victory get together on June 25, 2025.Picture by Dean Moses
In the meantime, different main progressives like Vermont Senator Sanders praised Lander as “a relentless fighter for working people,” whereas Warren known as him “the real deal” with the “experience, values and grit” to ship for working households. Brooklyn Assemblymember Robert Carroll wrote that NY-10 “could not ask for a better neighbor — or a more principled progressive leader,” whereas State Sen. Andrew Gounardes declared, “Team Gounardes is always on Team Lander.”
Lander additionally secured the backing of the New York Working Households Celebration, which praised him for his “moral courage,” advocacy for working households, and report on reasonably priced housing and labor protections. The get together stated it expects Lander to proceed preventing for employees, immigrant households, and broader entry to housing, training, healthcare, and public security.
“We are all in and ready to win,” the get together posted.
DSA-backed Metropolis Council Member Alexa Avilés, whose district overlaps with NY-10, was reportedly additionally weighing a possible run, however she launched an announcement after Lander’s announcement saying she is not going to enter the race, warning {that a} cut up progressive subject might threat giving Goldman one other time period.
She stated she was “grateful” for the encouragement from neighborhood members however determined her “best use of energy is not running for Congress” and that there’s “far too much to be done at home in Brooklyn and at City Hall.”
“What’s clear from my years in public services is that Dan Goldman has fundamentally failed our communities,” Avilés stated in an announcement that stops wanting endorsing her fellow Brooklynite. “A split field runs too great a risk of allowing him another damaging term. I’m not done taking on the corporate powers that have destroyed our city and country, but have decided that my best use of energy is not running for Congress in NY-10.”
