Lander defeats Goldman in Democratic primary for New York’s 10th District
Brad Lander, a former New York City Comptroller, defeated incumbent Democrat Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary for New York’s 10th Congressional District, securing approximately 62.8% of the vote amid early counts. Lander’s victory is expected to lead to his election in the heavily Democratic district. The primary featured sharp ideological differences, especially over Israel policy adn economic issues; while Goldman supported pro-Israel positions and was endorsed by Governor Kathy Hochul, Lander criticized Israel’s actions in Gaza and opposed groups like AIPAC, vowing not to accept thier donations. Lander campaigned on supporting working families through higher taxes on the wealthy and union support, contrasting with Goldman’s self-description as a pro-working families candidate. The race also drew attention due to Lander’s past activism, including an arrest at an anti-ICE protest, from which he was later acquitted. The primary reflects ongoing ideological battles within the Democratic party, with Lander aligned with more progressive, left-wing candidates winning victories across major U.S. cities recently. There was no Republican primary in this district, and Lander is poised to succeed in the general election against minor party candidates.
Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) in the Democratic primary for New York’s 10th Congressional District on Tuesday evening after Mayor Zohran Mamdani endorsed him.
With 42% of the vote counted as of Tuesday evening, Lander took 62.8% of the vote compared to Goldman’s 37%, according to the Associated Press. In the deep-blue area of New York City, Lander is likely a shoo-in for the top spot in the November general election.
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Lander is the latest win for left-wing Democrats in major U.S. cities following socialist Janeese Lewis George’s victory in Washington, D.C’s mayoral race and Mamdani’s win in 2025. Mamdani backed left-wing Lander for the seat in December of last year as part of a whole slate of House challengers from the Big Apple, saying Lander would “make sure Congress works for the many, not just the few.”
While Mamdani backed Lander, Gov. Kathy Hochul (D-NY) took Goldman’s side, endorsing the incumbent in early January.
Lander and Goldman sparred off the bat over typical left-wing vs. centrist Democratic issues that have dominated the 2026 primary cycle. Debates over support for the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, policies dealing with corporate regulations, and their approaches to the Trump administration dominated the primary in the district covering lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.
The two candidates, both Jewish, had vastly different campaign strategies when it came to talking about Israel. While Goldman defended his pro-Israel stance throughout the election, Lander had called Israel’s campaign in Gaza “genocide”. Lander kicked off his campaign slamming AIPAC and Goldman’s decision to accept donations from the group, as he vowed not to take their money.
In terms of economic issues, Lander blasted Goldman as a “corporate Democrat” and said he would support New York’s working families through supporting increased taxes on the rich and union organizing. But Goldman clapped back at Lander’s assessment and called himself the working families candidate who is “beholden to no one” in an interview with CBS News, pointing to his sponsoring of the Robinhood Act to tax the ultrawealthy.
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Lander, who had unsuccessfully run for New York City mayor in 2025, also made headlines for getting arrested for an anti-ICE protest at a court hearing for illegal immigrants. Lander was acquitted of the obstruction charges by U.S. Magistrate Judge Henry Ricardo in June 2026.
There was no Republican primary for the deep-blue seat that Goldman won by an over 66-point margin in 2024. The other general election candidates, in addition to Lander, include Jennifer Moore of the Conservative Party and Nickie Kane of the No Kings Party.
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