In brief
In a video announcement, Brad Lander outlined his campaign platform emphasizing the fight against oppression and the importance of local democracy. Supported by several progressive figures including Zohran Mamdani and Bernie Sanders, Lander is positioning himself as a strong advocate for immigrant rights and fighting against the federal deportation agenda. Goldman, a moderate Democrat, may face fierce competition from Lander, who has a background in social justice activism.
Brad Lander, the outgoing comptroller of New York City, announced Wednesday that he is running for Congress, challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in a Democratic primary for a liberal district in lower Manhattan and northwest Brooklyn.
Lander, a progressive ally of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, launched his campaign in a video and social media posts, promising to offer 'courageous leadership in the face of Donald Trump’s attacks on New Yorkers.'
'At a moment of dark oppression, we can shine by fighting back together,' he said. 'While the oligarchy drives an affordability crisis, they shouldn’t be able to buy a seat in Congress. While our immigrant neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them,' said Lander in the video.
He also evoked the late children’s TV host Fred Rogers in his video, singing 'Would you be mine? Could you be mine? Won’t you be my neighbor?'
'I know it’s corny, but I love the idea that democracy is just neighbors working together to make our lives in common better,' said Lander, who scheduled a public speech about his campaign Wednesday evening near his home in Brooklyn.
Lander has been eyeing a challenge to Goldman since he lost the Democratic mayoral primary to Mamdani this summer.
Both Lander and Goldman have been vocal critics of the federal government’s deportation agenda, appearing at a high-profile immigration court in Manhattan to observe proceedings over the last several months.
Lander was arrested there twice and faces a misdemeanor obstruction charge stemming from one of the incidents.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also endorsed Lander, stating, 'Brad Lander is a relentless fighter for working people.' He has spent the past two decades taking on big corporations, winning better wages and fair working conditions for New Yorkers.
Goldman, a two-term congressman and heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune, is a former federal prosecutor considered a moderate Democrat.
Lander, who is also a former city council member, will leave office as comptroller next year after deciding not to seek reelection.
The partnership between Lander and Mamdani during the mayoral primary helped boost their progressive platforms as they faced criticism and competition from other candidates.
