Progressive Jewish Candidate Brad Lander Wins NYC Congressional Primary, Ousting Incumbent

Brad Lander, a progressive Jewish politician and ally of New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, has won the Democratic primary for New York's 10th Congressional District. Lander ousted the centrist incumbent Dan Goldman, securing a decisive victory with 66% of the vote compared to Goldman's 33% as of Tuesday night.

The election, covering lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, is seen as a significant win for the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Lander, who identifies as a "liberal Zionist," ran on a platform that included strong criticism of Israel's actions, accusing it of genocide and apartheid. He also attacked pro-Israel lobbying, though he acknowledged this stance made him "queasy" due to its potential to echo antisemitic tropes.

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I will be one of the Jewish members of Congress most willing to stand up for Palestinian human rights, and I will stand firmly against bigotry aimed at Jews.

In contrast, Dan Goldman, while critical of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government and the war in Gaza, aligns more closely with the Democratic Party's center and the mainstream Jewish community. Lander's victory speech reiterated his commitment to Palestinian human rights while also vowing to stand against antisemitism.

Lander's political career includes serving on the New York City Council and as the city comptroller. His alliance with Mayor Mamdani, whom he supported in the 2024 mayoral campaign, has been a defining feature of his recent political activity. The race also underscored tensions within the Jewish community and the Democratic Party, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as evidenced by Lander's refusal to directly condemn Mamdani's controversial remarks about the pro-Israel lobby.

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This race was about more than a single seat in Congress. It was a fight for both the future of the Democratic Party, and the future of the Jewish community.