Metropolis Comptroller Brad Lander (proper) says he’s ‘seriously considering’ difficult U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman (proper) in subsequent yr’s midterm elections.
Pictures by Lloyd Mitchell
Outgoing metropolis Comptroller and one-time mayoral candidate Brad Lander confirmed to New York News on Friday that he’s “very seriously considering” working for the Manhattan and Brooklyn Congressional seat at present held by U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman.
The progressive Lander — an ally of democratic socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani — validated for the primary time hypothesis that he would problem Goldman, after first telling Crain’s and Politico on the Somos convention in Puerto Rico on Thursday night time.
“Yes, I am seriously considering it,” Lander mentioned in a message to New York News.
When requested about Lander’s feedback, Goldman spokesperson Simone Kanter responded: “Haven’t thought much about it, but let me know when he makes up his mind.”
“Dan is laser focused on winning back the house and preventing Trump from militarizing New York, not on fighting with other Democrats,” he added.
Goldman has served within the Home since 2023 after successful a crowded Democratic main for a newly redrawn Congressional District 10 in 2022. The district consists of Decrease Manhattan neighborhoods resembling Tribeca and Chinatown, in addition to a swath of northwest Brooklyn, together with Sundown Park and Park Slope. Lander lives in Park Slope, and Goldman lives in Tribeca.
Whereas Goldman has been a fierce critic of President Trump, particularly his immigration crackdown, the Congress member is at odds with extra progressive Democrats over his staunch assist for Israel. Within the wake of Mamdani’s victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, progressives see Goldman as weak to a problem from his left.
Goldman didn’t endorse Mamdani within the main. He did, nonetheless, congratulate the mayor-elect in a Tuesday night time assertion, saying, “I look forward to working with him to improve the lives of all New Yorkers.”
Some consultants had thought Lander may be in line for a submit with the incoming Mamdani administration as a result of the 2 had cross-endorsed one another within the ranked-choice Democratic main — a transfer that proved essential towards serving to Mamdani win the nomination.
The pair have publicly remained strongly supportive of each other. Lander held a number of marketing campaign occasions with Mamdani throughout the normal election and attended his Election Night time get together.
The outgoing comptroller will not be the one one trying to tackle Goldman.
Left-leaning Metropolis Council Member Alexa Avilés, whose council district overlaps with CD 10, is additionally probably eyeing a run, in line with Metropolis & State. Avilés didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Redistricting wrinkle?
One potential wrinkle in subsequent yr’s tenth Congressional District race might be the end result of a lawsuit filed by voters in Brooklyn and Staten Island searching for to vary the boundaries of neighboring Congressional District 11. That district, which covers southern Brooklyn neighborhoods and all of Staten Island, is held by Nicole Malliotakis, the one Republican member of the New York Metropolis congressional delegation.
The lawsuit argues that the town’s solely Republican district disenfranchises Black and Latino voters. If a choose agrees, the eleventh District strains might be redrawn to incorporate extra areas exterior of Staten Island.
After the case was filed, Goldman issued a press release indicating that he’ll run for Congress “in my home district,” including that, “If Staten Island is drawn into my district, then I will be ready to step up and take the fight for democracy and a Democratic House majority to Nicole Malliotakis’ doorstep.”
