Congressman Dan Goldman, Brad Lander to square off in primary fight after SCOTUS decision
CHINATOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- A huge decision by the Supreme Court to preserve New York City's only congressional district held by a Republican, NY-11, has cleared the way for a primary battle between democrats for the neighboring district, NY-10.
At the center of Lunar New Year festivities in Chinatown on Tuesday, Democratic Congressmember Dan Goldman was hoping to capture the energy and strength of the fire horse, and maximize turnout with supporters after a more favorable path to remain in Washington was closed by the Supreme Court.
The high court's decision preserved the only congressional district held by a Republican in New York, despite a lower court ruling it illegally diluted the power of minority voters.
Congress member Nicole Malliotakis, who represents the district, filed the emergency application.
"The people of Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn should choose who represents them in Congress," Malliotakis said. "It shouldn't be map-makers who are connected to the Democrat Party or high priced attorneys who the Democrat Party have hired to try to steal this seat."
It was widely expected that Goldman would have shifted seats and challenged Malliotakis had the district been rejiggered because the original ruling required that district include more democratic pockets of Brooklyn.
Goldman, meanwhile, is seen as a stronger general election candidate in a red to blue district than he is a primary candidate against a growing progressive movement.
The decision has clarified the path forward for the incumbent's re-election campaign. It's now focused squarely on fending off former City Comptroller Brad Lander's primary bid.
On Iran, the two agree on President Donald Trump, but that's about it.
"Unbelievably careless and lawless decision by Donald Trump to begin a war against Iran with no preparation," Goldman said. "We've heard four or five different reasons why this administration needed to go to war right now."
"Among Congressman Goldman's biggest backers are AIPAC who are cheerleading Trump in this hideous war and there's a contradiction between condemning this war and the president who has recklessly launched it and continuing to take support from AIPAC donors," Brad Lander said.
Goldman though is not just running against Lander but also a popular progressive mayor who has endorsed Lander.
Goldman's district voted decisively for the Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Both candidates are now courting that progressive wing.
"We have worked together in the past on a pilot program for the free bus fares. I am a long time and avid supporter of universal childcare," Goldman said. "I think his idea of a Department of Community Safety is a great idea."
"NY-10 is a progressive district and representative Goldman is out of step with it," Lander said.
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