Two Democrats are battling for New York's 10th Congressional District in a race that has divided the party, and both have laid out their priorities in interviews. Incumbent Representative Dan Goldman, who is seeking his third term, is being challenged by Brad Lander, the former New York City Comptroller and former mayoral candidate. The district covers Lower Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn.
The contest has split prominent New York Democrats. Lander is now being supported by Mayor Mamdani, while Goldman has been endorsed by Governor Hochul. Both candidates are Democrats, but with clear differences, and the high-profile, hard-fought race has become a flashpoint within the party as voters weigh who should represent the district.
In his interview, Goldman placed much of his focus on foreign policy. He said his sole focus has been on a two-state solution, with a state for Israeli civilians and one for Palestinian civilians where they can achieve self-determination and prosperity. He called the ceasefire in place since October, though tenuous, the best opportunity for a two-state solution since the year 2000.
Pressed on Lebanon, Goldman acknowledged the continuing violence in the region. After being reminded that Israel had pounded Lebanon with more than 120 airstrikes in a week, three of them near the country's water resources, he said the violence there is awful and that it has to stop. He had been speaking about Gaza, he noted, but agreed the wider bloodshed must end.
Goldman was sharply critical of the war with Iran, calling it idiotic, moronic and a complete travesty. He argued that President Trump was now trying to get back to square zero, and that the Strait of Hormuz was never involved. On what the United States should do next, Goldman said that was a question for the president, who he said refuses to come to Congress despite Article I giving it war powers, and despite having shown neither an imminent threat nor a plan.
When his turn came, Lander centered his pitch on affordability. He called Manhattan rents of $5,000 a month insane, saying young people and working families cannot possibly afford it, and described health care costs as out of control, something he said Congress can change. Those issues, he said, would be among his top priorities if elected to represent the district.
Lander also framed the race around resisting the Trump administration. He said it was essential to confront Donald Trump, to protect immigrant neighbors and to address corruption, pointing to what he described as a $2 billion slush fund for insurrectionists. Together with Goldman's foreign-policy focus, the two interviews underscored just how different the choices are for Democratic voters in the 10th District.