Mark Levine endorses Dan Goldman for Congress

Manhattan bonds are stronger than comptroller bonds.

New York City Comptroller Mark Levine is endorsing Rep. Dan Goldman for reelection Monday, Goldman’s campaign exclusively told City & State. In a statement, Levine said “we need elected leaders on the frontlines in Washington who will not only fight, but win for all of us,” and that Goldman “will stop at nothing to defend our democracy.”

Goldman is currently running for reelection in the 10th Congressional District, including lower Manhattan and the west side of Brooklyn, where he faces a primary challenge from Brooklynite and former Comptroller Brad Lander. Lander, who skipped a reelection race for comptroller to run unsuccessfully for mayor instead, is backed by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams among others. In addition to Levine, Goldman has been endorsed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal among others.

Like Goldman, Levine lives in Manhattan. Levine narrowly won the district in the Democratic primary for comptroller last year, topping Justin Brannan 46-43. Levine served with Lander on the City Council for eight years before becoming Manhattan borough president.

Levine’s endorsement didn’t mention either candidate’s orientation toward Israel, but Lander, Goldman and Levine are three of the city’s most prominent Jewish leaders, and each has been scrutinized by New Yorkers for their response to Israel’s war in Gaza. While Lander as comptroller chose not to reinvest roughly $40 million in Israeli government bonds after they matured, Levine, his successor in the office, has said he would buy Israeli bonds again. (Lander, who opposes the Boycott, Sanctions, Divestment movement, did invest public pension funds in Israeli companies, including the weapons company Elbit Systems.) 

Goldman’s less critical stance on Israel’s government and conduct in Gaza and the West Bank has become a central issue in the race against Lander, who is running as a more progressive alternative. Goldman was one of the 22 Democrats who voted to censure fellow Democrat and Palestinian American Rep. Rashida Tlaib in November 2023 for her embrace of the phrase “from the river to the sea” and her criticism of Israel as an “apartheid system that creates the suffocating, dehumanizing conditions that can lead to resistance.” Goldman has recently said he might vote differently on that if given the chance, but he also opposed resolutions to block arms sales to Israel and has continued to support sending military aid. Goldman has previously been supported by AIPAC, the pro-Israel lobby. Both Lander and Goldman have been critical of the leadership of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, criticized Israel’s brutal campaign in Gaza, criticized illegal settlements in the West Bank and have advocated for a two-state solution.

Comptrollers don’t necessarily have a warm alumni circle. Former Comptroller Scott Stringer has never been shy about criticizing his successor, and is also supporting Goldman. 

The contest between Lander and Goldman could all be moot though, after a state judge ruled the neighboring 11th Congressional District must be redrawn because it is unconstitutional. Republicans have appealed, but if the map is redrawn in time, Goldman could find himself running against Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis in a district including Staten Island and lower Manhattan instead. Levine said his Goldman endorsement applies in either version of the district.