NY-10 Democratic primary preview: Lander has incumbent Goldman on defense

Brad Lander is running to unseat two-term incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary for NY-10, covering lower Manhattan and part of brownstone Brooklyn. Lander is relying on strong popularity in the more populous Brooklyn portion and on his critical stance on Israel, with support from Mayor Mamdani in left-leaning neighborhoods. Goldman is running on a record of liberal achievements in Congress and on serving as a counterweight to President Trump, including opposition to the weaponization of the justice system. Goldman has raised more money and has strong Democratic credentials, including leading impeachment proceedings against Trump. Despite establishment endorsements for Goldman, many pundits view Lander as a formidable rival, with polling showing Lander leading by large margins.

"Progressive Brad Lander is aiming to unseat two-term incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman in a contentious Democratic primary for the NY-10 district spanning lower Manhattan and a chunk of brownstone Brooklyn. The ex-city comptroller and mayoral candidate is betting his durable popularity in the more-populous Brooklyn portion of the district, and his critical stance on Israel, will catapult him to victory in the June 23 vote. He also has the backing of Mayor Mamdani, who is especially popular in some of the left-leaning neighborhoods in the district."

"Goldman, 50, a millionaire heir to the Levi Strauss fortune who lives in Tribeca, is running on a record of liberal achievements in Congress and as an effective counterweight to President Trump on key issues especially his weaponization of the justice system. He is the incumbent and has raised far more money than Lander. Goldman also has strong Democratic bona fides, having led impeachment proceedings against President Trump during his first term."

"Lander has spent two decades working in local community groups in his Park Slope neighborhood and then as a City Councilmember before winning citywide office. The Brooklyn portion of the district is likely to comprise more than 60% of the primary electorate, and Lander is favored to rack up huge margins there. "Mathematically, it's just tough for Goldman," said Adam Carlson, a Democratic pollster. "On the Brooklyn side, Lander is going to clean up with massive margins. And even in Manhattan it's not going to be that easy for Goldman to get the numbers he needs.""

"A recent independent poll showed Lander leading by a shocking 34% margin, while a survey carried out by a pro-Goldman group showed a smaller Lander edge. A parade of establishment Democratic leaders like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries and Gov. Hochul have endorsed Goldman's bid for reelection, which would usually presage a coronation for the incumbent in deep blue New York"

Read at New York Daily News