Could Brad Lander primary Dan Goldman in NY-10?

City Comptroller Brad Lander didn’t get the results he hoped for in the 2025 mayoral primary, but he may set his sights on New York’s 10th Congressional District. The district is currently represented by former lead counsel in President Trump’s first impeachment and Levi Strauss heir Dan Goldman. 

While on The Brian Lehrer Show Monday morning, a caller asked Lander about his political future and suggested a congressional campaign in the lower Manhattan and brownstone Brooklyn district. Many consider Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani’s stunning primary win a referendum on the Democratic Party, paving the way for progressives to challenge established party leaders such as Senate Minority leader Chuck Schumer and Goldman, who has represented the district since 2023. 

Lander was never an obscure mayoral candidate – he is currently one of the most powerful citywide elected officials. However, his popularity skyrocketed leading up to the primary following an ICE arrest and cross-endorsement with Mamdani. Although he said he was “flattered” by the caller’s suggestion, Lander did not confirm nor deny intentions for a future congressional campaign.

“We’ll see what the future holds for me,” Lander said. 

Goldman won his seat in 2022 after beating a crowded field of candidates in the primary election. He kept his seat in the 2024 primary, but cracks had begun to show. A few months prior in February 2024, more than 1,000 of his constituents condemned his supportive position on Israel in an open letter. That summer, his opponent, Evan Hutchinson, managed to get 24% of votes despite being relatively unknown.

In the mayoral primary, Mamdani beat former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in Goldman’s congressional district, which could reflect growing political shifts away from moderate, millionaire-backed candidates like Cuomo and Goldman. Despite trailing significantly citywide, Lander was neck and neck with Cuomo in the 10th Congressional District. Since Mamdani’s victory, the congressman has said he was impressed with Zohran’s “energized campaign” and that they share a desire to uplift vulnerable New Yorkers, but stopped short of an official endorsement. 

The numbers don’t lie: the Mamdani-Lander coalition is strong. People are excited by their partnership and a new energy into city and nationwide politics. Lander has roots in the district as a former City Council member in District 39 and Park Slope resident. Former comptroller and mayoral candidate Scott Stringer acknowledged a potential Lander and Goldman primary could be competitive. 

“Brad would be a formidable opponent, especially with a Zohran Mamdani endorsement,” Stringer said. (Despite some raised eyebrows in response to his recent tweet, Stringer said he’s “absolutely not” running for the seat himself.)

Nevertheless, Goldman is a strong candidate with an incumbency advantage and continued defiance of President Trump’s encroachment on the city. There is no indication that the Lander fervor has enough stamina to power him through the primary. When asked about the potential primary challenge after a roundtable discussion on gun violence Monday, Goldman was diplomatic. 

“I have a lot of respect for Brad. We've worked together on a number of things. I'm focused on ... doing the job, the best job that I can, for my district and for New York City,” Goldman said. “You know, we're in a democracy. If Brad or anyone else wants to run against me, they absolutely should and can.”