In a bold political move, Brad Lander, the departing comptroller of New York City, officially announced his candidacy for Congress on Wednesday. He seeks to challenge U.S. Representative Dan Goldman in a Democratic primary that is expected to resonate with the progressive electorate of lower Manhattan and northwest Brooklyn.
Lander, recognized for his progressive stance, is closely aligned with Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. He launched his campaign through a dedicated video and a series of social media messages, pledging to deliver 'courageous leadership' against political adversaries like Donald Trump.
In his campaign video, Lander emphasized the significance of collective action during times of oppression, stating, While the oligarchy drives an affordability crisis, they shouldn’t be able to buy a seat in Congress. He also invoked the nostalgic words of children’s TV character Fred Rogers, expressing his belief in community cooperation for better governance.
Following a recent defeat in the Democratic mayoral primary, where he lost to Mamdani, Lander had been eyeing a run against Goldman. Lander has previously demonstrated his activism, having been arrested twice while advocating against the federal government’s deportation policies.
Endorsements from Mamdani and Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders underline Lander's reputation as a 'relentless fighter for working people', particularly in advocating for labor rights and social justice.
Goldman, a moderate Democrat and descendant of the Levi Strauss family, now faces a challenge from Lander, who aims to rally progressive voters. As Lander prepares to leave his post as comptroller, his focus shifts to a battle for a congressional seat that could significantly influence the future direction of New York's political landscape.
