By Andrew Ramos; Marcia Kramer contributed to this report
Updated on: December 10, 2025 / 11:19 PM EST / CBS New York
New York City Comptroller Brad Lander announced he is running for Congress in New York’s 10th District.
Lander released a campaign video Wednesday, recounting his years of public service in New York and saying he’s prepared to confront the Trump administration during what he called “a moment of dark oppression.” He was elected comptroller in 2021 after 12 years on the City Council, where he co-founded the Progressive Caucus. He and his family live in Brooklyn.
NYC Comptroller Brad Lander arrives to speak at a rally after being released from ICE detention on June 17, 2025 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images)
Speaking to a packed crowd at the Nitehawk Cinema Theater in Park Slope, Lander said he “will fight not fold” and embraced what he called “Mr. Rogers’ energy.” “Yeah, it’s a Mr. Rogers that stands up, fights ICE and fights Trump and fights Musk and kleptocrats, and fights AIPAC and says this is our neighborhood,” he said.
Rep. Dan Goldman currently represents District 10, which includes parts of Brooklyn and Lower Manhattan. Lander highlighted a key policy difference between them, saying, “Only I, of the two of us, recognize that Netanyahu’s leveling of schools and hospitals and the destruction of Gaza was a war crime. It’s an ongoing war crime.”
Progressives are mounting several primary challenges across New York. Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres is being challenged by former state Assemblyman Michael Blake, who has criticized Torres’ support of Israel. Progressive contenders are also pursuing the open seats of retiring Reps. Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velázquez. J.C. Polanco, a law professor at the University of Mount Saint Vincent, said progressives see an opportunity to expand their influence in Congress and warned that a larger progressive bloc could reshape the party’s national prospects.
Lander drew national attention earlier this year when he was arrested while observing immigration court at 26 Federal Plaza; he was released hours later and charges were dropped. He has returned to observe court proceedings multiple times. In his campaign video he said, “While the oligarchy drives an affordability crisis, they shouldn’t be able to buy a seat in Congress. While our neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them. New York is for everyone.”
After Lander’s arrest, Goldman and Rep. Jerry Nadler visited 26 Federal Plaza to observe immigration proceedings and said they were denied access to a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement field office in the building where people were being detained. Goldman joined Reps. Adriano Espaillat and Nydia Velázquez in announcing legislation to bar federal agents from arresting immigrants as they appear for court-ordered hearings. A Goldman campaign spokesperson said the congressman is focused on protecting immigrant families in his district and is proud of his progressive record, adding he will address challengers next year.
Lander said he has the endorsement of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, who cross-endorsed him during the mayoral Democratic primary. He also listed endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders, Sen. Elizabeth Warren, State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, State Assemblymember Robert Carroll, New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and the Working Families Party. Sanders released a statement calling Lander a “relentless fighter for working people” and saying he is “proud to endorse him.”
In: U.S. House of Representatives