Brad Lander, the former New York City comptroller and mayoral candidate, decisively defeated two-term incumbent Dan Goldman in the Democratic primary for New York's 12th congressional district on Tuesday, delivering a victory that underscored the influence of Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the resilience of the progressive movement.
Polls closed at 9 p.m., and within five minutes, Lander was declared the winner at his election night watch party in Brooklyn. With 92% of votes counted, Lander led Goldman by 31 points, a margin that reflected strong grassroots support and a critical stance on Israel's war in Gaza.
Victory Speech and Progressive Coalition
“What a glorious time to be a New Yorker,” Lander told cheering supporters at the bar near Barclays Center. He credited a “powerful energy moving through our city, a generosity of spirit, a refusal to give up even against very long odds, and a feeling of joy out in the streets.” Lander also gave a shout-out to the New York Knicks, referencing the team's recent playoff run.
Lander was introduced by Mamdani, against whom he ran for mayor last year. The two eventually formed a cross-endorsement to leverage ranked-choice voting. “Brad brings a kindness to this work. He brings a sincerity to this work. He brings a vision of politics that is more than what we’ve seen for so long,” Mamdani said, calling Lander a “good friend.”
The victory was one of three for Mamdani-backed candidates on Tuesday, with Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier also winning their primaries. All three are expected to win in November, adding a new progressive bloc to Congress.
Israel-Gaza Divide Central to Primary
The primary highlighted deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel. Lander, who is Jewish, has been an outspoken critic of Israel, calling its actions in Gaza genocide. Goldman, also Jewish, took a less critical stance and was endorsed by the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), which spent millions opposing progressive candidates.
“Democrats are painfully divided by our differences about the US relationship to Israel and Palestine, and we have to face up to it squarely,” Lander said in his speech, pledging to be “one of the Jewish members of Congress most willing to stand up for Palestinian human rights.”
For voter Kate Dalton, 42, Lander's moral stand on Gaza was key. “I know him as someone who shows up, and also because he’s taken a moral stand on Gaza, and that was really important to me,” she said. Dalton had volunteered for Lander's campaign and predicted she would be a “puddle of tears” if he won.
Youth and Grassroots Enthusiasm
The crowd at Lander's party skewed young, mirroring the youth support that buoyed Mamdani's mayoral win. Ian Ryan, 24, said Mamdani served as a gateway to Lander. “Mamdani and Brad Lander obviously competed in the mayoral election originally, and I think after Brad endorsed Mamdani, that’s what brought Brad to my attention,” Ryan said. “I think Brad’s policies are progressive and forward thinking, and he cares about the people in his district.”
Lander has a history of activism, including two arrests during his mayoral campaign while protesting immigrant detentions under Donald Trump. In September 2025, he was arrested for blocking an elevator during an attempt to inspect detention facilities; he was found not guilty earlier this month.
“We need fighters, and he is a fighter,” said supporter Léa Zimmerman, 34. “He is a presence, he actually follows through, and he’s consistent. I’m hoping him and the new wave of people will have that consistency, and follow through on the promises that they make.”
The party featured free refreshments and campaign merchandise, including tote bags for $40 and free posters featuring a bicycle, basketball, hotdog, and pigeon. Lander's victory sets the stage for a November general election where he is heavily favored to win the deep-blue district.
