Brad Lander, the outgoing comptroller of New York City, announced Wednesday that he is running for Congress, challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman in a Democratic primary for a liberal district in lower Manhattan and northwest Brooklyn.<\/p>\n
Lander, a progressive ally of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani<\/a>, launched his campaign in a video<\/a> and social media posts, promising to offer \u201ccourageous leadership in the face of Donald Trump\u2019s attacks on New Yorkers.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAt a moment of dark oppression, we can shine by fighting back together,\u201d he said. \u201cWhile the oligarchy drives an affordability crisis, they shouldn\u2019t be able to buy a seat in Congress. While our immigrant neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them,\u201d said Lander in the video.<\/p>\n He also evoked the late children\u2019s TV host Fred Rogers in his video, singing \u201cWould you be mine? Could you be mine? Won\u2019t you be my neighbor?\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI know it\u2019s corny, but I love the idea that democracy is just neighbors working together to make our lives in common better,\u201d said Lander, who scheduled a public speech about his campaign Wednesday evening near his home in Brooklyn.<\/p>\n Lander has been eyeing a challenge to Goldman since he lost the Democratic mayoral primary<\/a> to Mamdani this summer.<\/p>\n In his endorsement, Mamdani praised Lander\u2019s \u201cunwavering principles, deep knowledge, and sincere empathy.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been a trusted ally and partner of mine and I\u2019m proud to support him as I know he\u2019ll continue delivering for those who need government to show up for them the most,\u201d Mamdani added.<\/p>\n Both Lander and Goldman have been vocal critics of the federal government\u2019s deportation agenda<\/a>, appearing at a high-profile immigration court in Manhattan to observe proceedings over the last several months.<\/p>\n Lander was arrested there twice<\/a> and faces a misdemeanor obstruction charge<\/a> stemming from one of the incidents.<\/p>\n Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders also endorsed Lander.<\/p>\n \u201cBrad Lander is a relentless fighter for working people,\u201d said Sanders, an independent who caucuses with Democrats. \u201cHe\u2019s spent the past two decades taking on big corporations, winning better wages and fair working conditions for New Yorkers, including major victories for fast food workers, delivery workers, and tenants.\u201d<\/p>\n Goldman, a two-term congressman and heir to the Levi Strauss denim fortune, is a former federal prosecutor who was lead counsel for Trump\u2019s first impeachment. He is considered a moderate Democrat, though he has supported raising taxes on wealthy people as well as the Green New Deal climate change proposal.<\/p>\n An email seeking comment was sent to Goldman\u2019s campaign.<\/p>\n Lander, who is also a former city council member, will leave office as comptroller next year after deciding not to seek reelection.<\/p>\n