Brad Lander won decisively in New York's 12th congressional district Democratic primary Tuesday night, cruising past two-term incumbent Dan Goldman with more than 30 points separating them when 92 percent of votes were counted. The victory came less than five minutes after polls closed at 9 p.m., cementing a larger triumph for Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the city's progressive movement.
Lander, a former city comptroller and mayoral candidate, was one of three Mamdani-backed candidates to win primaries that night. Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier also secured victories. All three are expected to win their November general elections and arrive in Congress as part of a fresh cohort of progressive Democrats.
"What a glorious time to be a New Yorker," Lander told supporters at his victory party in Brooklyn, acknowledging what he called a wave of energy moving through the city. He credited the win to organizers and residents, saying the victory belonged to the people in the streets rather than to himself alone.
Mamdani introduced Lander at the celebration, describing him as someone who brings "kindness" and "sincerity" to politics. The two had competed against each other in last year's mayoral race before entering a cross-endorsement arrangement to leverage the city's ranked-choice voting system. Mamdani ultimately won that race with strong support from younger voters, and a similar demographic dominated Lander's primary night crowd.
The central fault line in Lander's race with Goldman centered on Israel and Gaza. Lander, who is Jewish, has been vocal in his criticism of Israel's actions, saying the country is guilty of genocide in Gaza. Goldman, also Jewish and a relatively progressive Democrat, has taken a far more cautious approach. Goldman was endorsed by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee, a pro-Israel lobbying group that has spent millions opposing progressive Democrats.
The split reflects broader fractures within the Democratic Party over U.S. policy toward Israel, even as American public opinion has shifted against the country over its Gaza operations. Lander signaled in his victory speech that he would be among the most willing Jewish members of Congress to defend Palestinian rights, calling on Democrats to "face up squarely" to the party's divisions on the issue.
Supporters cited Lander's stance on Gaza as a deciding factor. Kate Dalton, a campaign volunteer, said she backed him because "he's taken a moral stand on Gaza, and that was really important to me." Another backer, Lea Zimmerman, praised Lander as a fighter who follows through on his commitments, expressing hope that he and the incoming class of progressives would maintain consistency on their promises.
Lander has built a reputation as an immigration activist. He was arrested twice during his 2025 mayoral campaign while protesting immigrant detentions under Trump administration policies. Earlier this month, he was acquitted of charges that he blocked an elevator while attempting to inspect rooms holding detained immigrants. His fierce criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement resonated with voters who saw him as someone willing to take personal risks for his principles.
The victory party atmosphere reflected the youth-driven energy that had propelled Mamdani to the mayoralty. Attendees ranged from twentysomethings raised on progressive politics to longtime activists, many wearing campaign pins and taking home $40 tote bags and free posters bearing symbols of New York life: a bicycle, basketball, hot dog, and pigeon.
Author James Rodriguez: "Lander's win signals the progressive movement in New York has real staying power, not just novelty appeal in local races."
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