Former New York City comptroller and Democratic nominee for Congress Brad Lander called for “solidarity” to “vanquish” President Donald Trump, abolish Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and take on billionaires.
“Last Thursday, I gave a name to the spirit that’s been moving through New York City. I said it was solidarity,” Lander said during his victory speech after defeating incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) in Tuesday’s Democratic primary for New York’s 10th Congressional District.
“I said it was the force we need to vanquish our biggest foes, and I don’t mean Wemby and the Spurs,” Lander said. “Solidarity is the force that we need to vanquish Trump’s fascism, to abolish ICE, and to stand up to the billionaires who are rigging our economy against us.”
Lander learned he had won the election on Tuesday evening while being interviewed on CNN. With 42% of the vote counted, Lander secured 67% of the votes to Goldman’s 37%.
Lander was backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who won the mayoral election last fall and endorsed Lander shortly after. Lander was one of three Democrats backed by Mamdani who won Tuesday night.
In his campaign speech, Lander emphasized the need for solidarity to build alliances across differences, fight injustice, and create an affordable city where everyone is welcome.
“It’s the practice we need against our biggest opponents, to win a city everyone can afford and where everyone is welcome,” Lander said.
LANDER DEFEATS GOLDMAN IN DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY FOR NEW YORK’S 10TH DISTRICT
Lander also took aim at establishment Democrats, arguing that the party needs a more aggressive approach.
“We’ve had it with corporate Democrats who don’t know what time it is. This is not the time for strongly worded letters or high-dollar fundraisers or elections bought by billionaires or crypto bros or AI oligarchs. It’s time for a politics of solidarity,” Lander said.