New York City Comptroller Brad Lander says he is running for Congress in New York’s 10th District.
Lander released a campaign video Wednesday morning, talking about his years of service in New York. He said he’s ready to take on the Trump administration during what he calls “a moment of dark oppression.”
Lander was elected as comptroller in 2021 after spending 12 years in the City Council, where he co-founded the Progressive Caucus. He and his family live in Brooklyn.
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Speaking to a packed crowd at the Nitehawk Cinema Theater in Park Slope on Wednesday night, Lander said he “will fight not fold” and embraced what he called “Mr. Rogers’ energy.”
“Yeah, it’s a Mr. Rogers that stands up, fights ICE and fights Trump and fights Musk and kleptocrats, and fights AIPAC and says this is our neighborhood,” Lander said.
Rep. Dan Goldman, a fellow Democrat, currently represents District 10, serving parts of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan.
Lander highlighted one of many issues he says that sets them apart.
“Only I, of the two of us, recognize that Netanyahu’s leveling of schools and hospitals and the destruction of Gaza was a war crime. It’s an ongoing war crime,” Lander said.
Progressives are looking to seize the moment
Goldman isn’t the only sitting congressman being targeted by fellow Democrats. Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres is going to be challenged by former state Assemblyman Michael Blake, who has criticized Torres’ support of Israel.
Progressives are also going after two other seats, vying to replace Manhattan’s Jerry Nadler and Brooklyn’s Nydia Velázquez, who are both retiring.
J.C. Polanco, a law professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent in Bronx, says progressives see this as their moment to grab the brass ring of power.
“The fact is this squad is very loud on social media. That congressional delegation, these four, if they were to win, they will just make the squad larger. And one of the dangers of having a larger squad is that you’re going to have a situation in Washington where socialists are gonna have a bigger voice and they’re gonna be tied to the Democratic Party, which is gonna hurt the Democrats in national elections,” Polanco said.
Lander and Goldman taking on immigration enforcement
Lander ran for mayor earlier this year and gained national attention when he was arrested while observing immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza. He was released hours later, and the charges were dropped. He has since returned to observe court several times.
“While the oligarchy drives an affordability crisis, they shouldn’t be able to buy a seat in Congress. While our neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them,” Lander said in his campaign video. “New York is for everyone.”
The day after Lander’s arrest, Goldman and Nadler also visited 26 Federal Plaza to observe immigration proceedings and said they were denied access to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office inside the building, where people were being detained.
Goldman on Tuesday joined Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Velázquez announcing new legislation to stop federal agents from arresting immigrants as they show up for court-ordered appearances.
“Dan is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what they’re doing to immigrant families in his district right now. He’s proud of his progressive record in Congress and will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year,” a spokesperson for Goldman’s campaign said after Lander’s announcement.
Lander says he has Mayor-elect Mamdani’s endorsement
Lander said he has been endorsed by Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who cross-endorsed with Lander during ranked choice voting in the Democratic primary for mayor.
He said he also has the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, New York State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, New York State Assemblymember Robert Carroll, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the Working Families Party.
Sanders released a statement Wednesday calling Lander a “relentless fighter for working people.”
“Brad Lander is a public servant who will bring a much-needed voice to Congress. He will deliver for the people of New York and all working class Americans. I am proud to endorse him,” Sanders said.
