Mamdani-backed 'liberal Zionist' ousts Dem who led Trump impeachment in bid to take NYC House seat

Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a previous Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) member backed by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, defeated a high-profile Trump impeachment figure in one of the nation’s bluest House seats.

Lander, who describes himself as a "liberal Zionist," defeated Rep. Dan Goldman, D-N.Y., who was the only other Democrat in the House primary race. The deep-blue district spans Lower Manhattan and parts of western Brooklyn, taking in liberal strongholds from Greenwich Village and the Lower East Side to Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope and Sunset Park.

The primary victory for Lander was also a win for the city’s ascendant progressive wing, with Sanders and Mamdani helping Lander take on Goldman, a wealthy former federal prosecutor and high-profile Trump adversary who served as lead counsel during the first impeachment inquiry into the president.

Goldman was first elected to Congress in 2022 after emerging from a crowded Democratic primary in the newly redrawn district. Before entering Congress, he gained national attention as a House Democratic counsel during Trump’s first impeachment and later became a frequent critic of the president on Capitol Hill.

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The race became one of New York City’s most closely watched Democratic primaries, with Goldman and Lander clashing over Israel, Gaza, immigration enforcement, housing affordability and how aggressively Democrats should confront President Donald Trump.

During the pair's campaign blitz, Lander attacked Goldman for voting for U.S. military aid to Israel and slammed him for refusing to call the war in Gaza a genocide. Meanwhile, Goldman defended his support for Israel’s existence as a Jewish state and argued that voters in the district were more focused on domestic issues.

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The two also sparred over immigration enforcement, with Lander saying he has supported abolishing ICE since 2018. But Goldman accused Lander of using his anti-immigration protest arrest at 26 Federal Plaza, where he and other elected officials were seeking access to inspect ICE holding areas, for political fundraising.

Goldman’s own campaign platform also called to "abolish ICE as we know it," though the incumbent cast his approach as more institutional than Lander’s, pointing to congressional oversight, litigation and legislation aimed at curbing ICE tactics.

While Tuesday's Democratic Party Primary in New York's 10th Congressional District was a test of the city's growing far-left ascension, it also drew attention because of the split between major New York Democrats, with Gov. Kathy Hochul backing Goldman while Mamdani and Sanders lined up behind Lander.

Lander entered the final stretch with public polling showing him ahead, though Goldman argued he was better positioned to take on the Trump administration from Congress.

Lander will enter the general election as the heavy favorite in the solidly Democratic district. 

Jennifer Moore is running as the Republican and Conservative Party nominee in November.