Overview
- Lander unveiled his bid with a video casting himself as a fighter against wealthy influence and AIPAC, saying the district needs an ally to Mayor‑elect Zohran Mamdani in Washington.
- He enters the race with endorsements from Mamdani, Sen. Bernie Sanders and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and he has secured the Working Families Party’s backing.
- The progressive lane consolidated quickly as Councilmember Alexa Avilés, long viewed as a potential challenger from the left, said she would not run.
- The contest highlights a sharp policy divide on Israel and Gaza, with Lander criticizing Israel’s conduct in the war and Goldman defending Israel’s right to respond to Hamas.
- New records show city pension funds increased investments in Elbit Systems during Lander’s tenure; he says pension decisions are guided by fiduciary duty and executed by outside managers.