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.
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also endorsed Lander, appreciating his relentless fight for working people in New York City. Goldman, a moderate Democrat and two-term congressman, is known for his previous role as a federal prosecutor.
With the support of key progressive figures and a strong community focus, Lander aims to capture the hearts of voters in this upcoming primary.
