Rep. Dan Goldman Monday picked up the endorsements of Democratic heavyweights Rep. Jeffries and Gov. Hochul in his reelection fight against progressive primary challenger Brad Lander for the NY-10 district spanning lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, the Daily News has learned.
The two-term incumbent, a mainstream moderate Democrat, won praise from Jeffries for his role in pushing back against the aggressive right-wing agenda of President Trump.
“(Goldman) has been a leader in the Democratic caucus — fighting to defend our democracy and standing up to make life more affordable for working families across New York City,” said Jeffries along with other members of the Democratic House leadership team in a statement first provided to the Daily News. “Rep. Goldman’s strong leadership skills are needed in Washington as we protect our democracy and defend the rule of law.”
Jeffries suggested Goldman, who served as lead counsel to the first impeachment of Trump in his first term, would be an important player in potential probes of the second Trump administration if Democrats regain control of the House in the upcoming midterm congressional elections.
“His unique investigative ability will be critical to the work of the House Judiciary Committee in the next Congress,” the House Democratic leaders said.
Hochul also stressed Goldman’s experience in standing up to Trump. She too is running for reelection and faces a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.
“As the Trump administration drives up costs, rips away health care, and targets New York, the urgency of building a House majority that can stand up for New York families could not be more clear,” Hochul said in a statement. “New Yorkers need experienced fighters in Washington who know how to stand up to abuse of power.”
The twin endorsements give a boost to Goldman as he seeks to fend off what looks like a formidable primary challenge from Lander, the popular former city comptroller and mayoral candidate.
The move by Jeffries and Hochul also sets up a titanic proxy fight with Mayor Mamdani, who has backed Lander after the pair forged a headline-grabbing alliance against former Governor Cuomo in the race for City Hall.
Lander, whose political base is in brownstone Brooklyn, has positioned himself to the left of Goldman on most issues and has sidelined other potential progressive challengers like Councilwoman Alexa Aviles.
He accuses Goldman of being a supporter of Israel’s bloody war in Gaza and doing the bidding of the conservative American Israel Public Affairs Committee. Jeffries is also a strong backer of Israel.
