“Brad has decided to run against an effective, progressive member of Congress as a consolation prize following his failed bid to be Zohran’s deputy mayor,” the source told the Washington Examiner.

Lander will be a formidable challenger for Goldman. The former city comptroller finished in third in the city’s Democratic mayoral primary and even won portions of Goldman’s district. Lander captured parts of Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Prospect Heights, and Windsor Terrace, all within Goldman’s district.

The city comptroller, who endorsed Mamdani in the primary and general election, drew national attention when Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested him at 26 Federal Plaza in June. He was accused of assaulting an officer, which he denied. He was later released.

The viral video of his arrest drew support from state party leaders ranging from Attorney General Letitia James to Mamdani. Lander was later arrested again in September for a similar alleged crime, though this time, he was accused of blocking an entryway to 26 Federal Plaza.

He opted to take the allegation to a federal trial, unlike several other lawmakers, who took an agreement with the prosecution to have their charges dropped if they weren’t arrested inside a federal building for six months.

“I believe the crime is not what we were doing. The crime on that day was on the other side of the 10th-floor door, where ICE agents are keeping our neighbors in cruel detention conditions,” he told reporters. “That’s why we were there. That’s what we wanted to see.”

Lander will get an early boost in the race, according to Politico. Mamdani is expected to endorse Lander, and he’ll seek the support of notable progressives such as Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA). He’s also interviewing for the valuable Working Families Party endorsement, which is often granted to the top progressives in New York Democratic primaries.

Mamdani defeated former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo by 23 points in Goldman’s district, and Lander narrowly finished third. If Lander can consolidate progressive support in the district for himself, it would help his cause, but he’s not the only left-wing candidate potentially running.

New York City Councilwoman and socialist Alexa Avilés is also reportedly pining for Goldman’s seat and will seek the endorsement of the city’s Democratic Socialists of America chapter. Former state assemblywoman and former Goldman challenger Yuh-Line Niou is also considering a bid.

With leftists bearing down on him, Goldman recently renewed his progressive credentials with legislation that would tax the ultra-wealthy. He’s a Levi Strauss & Co. heir and is a multimillionaire himself, meaning the bill would likely apply to him.

Goldman has not declared that he will run for reelection, though he filed paperwork to run in November of last year. A September Data for Progress poll showed Lander would beat Goldman decisively in a one-on-one matchup, 52% to 33%.

Lander will likely argue that he’s more progressively nuanced on Israel and Jewish issues than Goldman. When Mamdani refused to condemn the “globalize the intifada” phrase associated with antisemitic behavior during the primary, Lander softly hit out at him.

“Maybe you don’t mean to be saying it’s open season against Jews all over the world,” he said in an interview on Pod Save America, referring to people who use the phrase, “But that’s what I hear.”

GOLDMAN LEANS INTO TAXING THE RICH AS SOCIALISTS GEAR UP TO CHALLENGE HIM

Goldman chose a different route, calling Mamdani “unfit” for the mayoralty if he couldn’t condemn the phrase: “Put simply, one cannot credibly assert opposition to antisemitism while defending the phrase ‘globalize the intifada.’”

On the Hamas-Israel conflict, Lander has noted that Israel committed “ethnic cleansing” during its war against Hamas. Goldman has called for a ceasefire but hasn’t criticized Israel extensively, to the ire of the progressives who are now mobilizing against him.