The former New York City Comptroller and congressional candidate in New York’s 10th congressional district  had been preparing for months for his federal trial, originally scheduled for Monday. When prosecutors requested a postponement—to add a new witness whose name had not appeared on the government’s witness list—Lander’s calendar suddenly cleared.

He filled it the way he has filled most weeks over the past year: court-watching at the same Lower Manhattan federal building where he was arrested last fall.

Lander says unlike Goldman, he’s part of the progressive vanguard in New York City led by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. He swore to donate campaign funds to charity if any super PACs get involved in the race to support him. (They haven’t.) And he says he would vote against military aid for Israel while the country continues to violate international law.

The New York Editorial Board spoke with former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, a Democrat running a primary campaign against Rep. Dan Goldman in New York’s 10th Congressional District (Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn), on the morning of April 9, 2026. The primary election will take place in June.

Former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander is demanding Rep. Dan Goldman sign a “People’s Pledge” ahead of the congressional primary pitting the two against each other to limit the influence of lobbying groups like AIPAC on campaign funding and advertising.

Lander joined NY1 political anchor Errol Louis on “Inside City Hall” Monday to discuss his bid for Congress.

“This is a five-alarm fire for our democracy and future. And status quo Democrats are not meeting the moment,” he said. “And somebody who’s a quarter-billionaire, who’s got all that outside spending on his behalf, is not going to stand up and fight for working-class people for the change we need.”

Lincoln Restler, who represents the city’s 33rd District on the New York City Council, took notice. He told the Prospect that Lander usually flies under the media radar, which made his arrest all the more shocking.

“He’s not the flashiest guy or the most dynamic orator,” he said, “but he just does consequential work that makes a real difference in people’s lives.”

Brad Lander in The Nation: “When I am elected to Congress, I will support the Block the Bombs Act to protect more Palestinians from being killed by Israel.”

BRAD TO THE BONE: It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood. It’s also time for a knockdown fight to protect your neighbors.

Newly minted congressional candidate Brad Lander appeared to be aiming for duality today with his House campaign launch video, which channels Mister Rogers in its whimsy while referencing the Trump administration’s “dark oppression” in its script. The nearly three-minute spot features cartoon birds fluttering across the screen juxtaposed with a quick clip of Lander being arrested by ICE agents at 26 Federal Plaza.

Brad Lander, the New York City comptroller, announced on Wednesday that he would challenge Representative Daniel Goldman, setting up a contentious Democratic primary that will be a potent test of the progressive movement’s momentum.