In a highly contested Democratic primary, Brad Lander, a former New York City Comptroller, emerged victorious in one of the nation's bluest House seats. Lander, who identifies as a liberal Zionist, defeated Rep. Dan Goldman, a wealthy former federal prosecutor and high-profile Trump adversary. The district, which spans Lower Manhattan and parts of western Brooklyn, is considered a liberal stronghold.
Lander's primary victory is being seen as a win for the city's progressive wing, which has been gaining momentum in recent years. His campaign was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders and socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who helped him take on Goldman. The two candidates clashed over several key issues, including Israel, Gaza, immigration enforcement, and housing affordability.
Goldman, who was first elected to Congress in 2022, gained national attention as a House Democratic counsel during Trump's first impeachment. He later became a frequent critic of the president on Capitol Hill. During the primary campaign, Goldman defended his support for Israel's existence as a Jewish state, while Lander attacked him for voting for U.S. military aid to Israel and refusing to call the war in Gaza a genocide.
The two candidates also sparred over immigration enforcement, with Lander supporting the abolition of ICE since 2018. Goldman accused Lander of using his anti-immigration protest arrest for political fundraising, while Lander argued that his approach was more effective. Goldman had also called to "abolish ICE as we know it," but cast his approach as more institutional than Lander's.
The primary was closely watched due to the split between major New York Democrats, with Gov. Kathy Hochul backing Goldman and Mamdani and Sanders lining up behind Lander. Lander entered the final stretch with public polling showing him ahead, and will enter the general election as the heavy favorite in the solidly Democratic district.
Lander's victory sets him up for a likely win in the general election, as the district is considered a liberal stronghold. Jennifer Moore will run as the Republican and Conservative Party nominee in November, but is not expected to pose a significant challenge to Lander.
