Brad Lander, the former New York City comptroller, defeated incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary for New York’s 10th Congressional District on June 23, 2026, according to NBC News projections, marking a significant upset in a race that exposed deep divisions within the party over Israel and Gaza.
Lander’s victory came after a contentious campaign that centered on Israel policy. Goldman, who is Jewish and backed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), sought to position himself as a progressive supporter of Israel while criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Lander, also Jewish, took a far more critical stance on Israel’s conduct in the war, calling it a “genocide,” and promised to co-sponsor legislation restricting American military aid to Israel.
The race highlighted a broader Democratic divide over the Middle East conflict. Goldman was supported by Gov. Kathy Hochul, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and key labor unions, and he leaned on his personal wealth to fund his campaign. Lander, by contrast, received backing from Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whose political endorsement proved decisive. Lander also won endorsements from national progressives including Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren.
Goldman had previously been seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party because of his high-profile role as lead counsel during President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial. After narrowly winning a crowded primary in 2022, he became a prominent voice fighting the Trump administration on issues like abortion and immigration. Yet his support for Israel became his greatest vulnerability in a district that has grown more critical of the country’s military conduct in Gaza.
Lander framed himself as a dogged critic of the Trump administration’s deportation policies, regularly serving as an advocate for defendants in federal immigration court. Last year, he was arrested at an immigration court in Lower Manhattan while escorting a defendant, drawing national attention to his immigration activism. Earlier this month, a judge found Lander not guilty of misdemeanor charges related to the episode.
Lander’s victory was part of a broader wave of challenges from Mamdani-backed candidates to sitting members of Congress. The mayor, elected in November 2025, has been leveraging his political influence to reshape New York City’s congressional delegation, and the primary results tested the strength of his endorsement power just six months into his tenure.
Sources
- NBC News — reported that Democratic Rep. Dan Goldman lost the NY-10 primary to Brad Lander, with details on the race’s focus on Israel policy and Mamdani’s influence
- FOX 5 New York — confirmed the race highlighted a Democratic divide, with Hochul backing Goldman and Mamdani endorsing Lander
- The New York Times — provided context on how Goldman’s support for Israel became a liability in the primary
- NBC News — reported that Lander was found not guilty of misdemeanor charges related to his immigration court arrest
