A significant upset occurred in New York's House primary on Tuesday night, as incumbent Democrat Rep. Dan Goldman lost his seat to a far-left candidate. Goldman, a nepo baby and Levi Strauss heir, was defeated by former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in the race for New York's 10th Congressional District.
Lander's campaign was backed by Communist Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a key endorsement that likely played a crucial role in his victory. In contrast, New York Governor Kathy Hochul had endorsed Goldman, but her support was not enough to secure his win.
The outcome of the primary is seen as a major upset, with Lander's pro-Palestine stance gaining traction in Brooklyn's strong pro-Palestine community. Conversely, Goldman's support from the pro-Israel lobby appears to have hurt his chances.
Goldman, first elected to Congress in 2022, had previously served as lead majority counsel in the first impeachment against President Trump in 2019. He also played a key role as lead counsel to the impeachment managers in President Trump's impeachment trial.
Lander's victory was bolstered by endorsements from Senator Bernie Sanders and Mayor Zohran Mamdani. The outcome marks a significant shift to the left in New York politics, with Lander's win seen as a major upset in the Democratic primary.
According to early results, Lander secured 62.2% of the vote, with 19,702 votes, while Goldman garnered 37.8%, with 11,996 votes. The results reflect a decisive victory for Lander, marking a new chapter in his political career.
