Brad Lander defeated two-term incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in New York’s 10th Congressional District Democratic primary on June 23, 2026, marking a significant victory for progressive Democrats in one of the city’s most liberal areas.
The race reflected deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy and the direction of the party itself. Lander, the former New York City comptroller, campaigned as a progressive critic of Goldman’s record, calling him a “corporate Democrat” who failed to stand up to billionaires. Goldman, a former federal prosecutor who led Democrats’ first impeachment proceedings against President Trump in 2019, sought to position himself as a moderate who could balance progressive values with pragmatism.
Israel emerged as the defining issue. Goldman, who is Jewish, received support from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) and the more liberal J Street, and argued for a progressive approach to supporting Israel while criticizing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s conduct in Gaza. Lander, also Jewish, took a far more critical stance, calling the war a “genocide” and promising to co-sponsor legislation restricting American military aid to Israel.
Mamdani’s Rising Influence
Lander’s victory underscores the growing clout of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the democratic socialist who won the mayoral race last year. Mamdani backed Lander and campaigned alongside him, cementing his influence over New York City’s political landscape. Lander also won endorsements from national progressives including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren.
Goldman, by contrast, leaned on establishment support. Gov. Kathy Hochul, a more moderate Democrat, backed him, as did House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who represents a neighboring Brooklyn district. Goldman also touted endorsements from key labor unions and spent heavily from his personal wealth in the primary.
Both candidates campaigned against Trump’s immigration policies. Lander gained attention for being arrested by federal immigration agents last year while observing immigration court; a judge found him not guilty of misdemeanor charges related to the incident earlier this month. Goldman highlighted his work freeing more than three dozen unlawfully detained immigrants and said he confronted masked ICE agents waiting to arrest people after immigration hearings.
The 10th District, which spans Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn including neighborhoods such as Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, and Bay Ridge, is one of the nation’s most progressive congressional districts. Lander’s win will advance him as the Democratic nominee for the general election in November.</n
Sources
- CBS News New York — Lander’s defeat of Goldman, endorsements from Mamdani and Sanders, Goldman’s backing from Hochul and Jeffries, campaign messaging on Trump and immigration
- NBC News — Goldman’s loss to Lander, divisions over Israel policy and AIPAC support, Mamdani’s influence, Lander’s immigration court arrest and acquittal
- New Kings Democrats — District geography and composition
