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2026 Election

Bernie Sanders Backs Brad Lander in His Primary Challenge to Rep. Dan Goldman

Sanders said he endorsed Lander over Democratic incumbent Dan Goldman because “he’s a far more progressive candidate.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders at the U.S. Capitol.

Tom Williams/AP

By Torrie Herrington

December 10, 2025 03:05 PM

Sen. Bernie Sanders threw his support on Thursday behind New York City Comptroller Brad Lander in his bid for New York’s 10th Congressional District, yet again backing a progressive challenger to a sitting Democratic lawmaker.

Sanders told NOTUS he endorsed Lander over incumbent Rep. Dan Goldman because Lander “is a far more progressive candidate.”

“Brad is one of a number of progressive candidates that we’re supporting who is prepared to take on the oligarchs and to fight for working people, and I think that’s the kind of energy we need in the House,” Sanders said.

Sanders has endorsed several candidates for the 2026 cycle, some of whom are taking on elected Democrats or are facing candidates preferred by the Democratic establishment. NOTUS previously reported that Sanders looks to endorse candidates with a similar progressive streak.

Lander, who previously ran for New York City mayor but lost the Democratic primary to Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani, is running on housing, affordability and fighting for New York City’s working families.

Lander said Thursday he was grateful for Sanders’ endorsement.

“It’s an honor to be endorsed by Bernie Sanders, a progressive champion who has spent his entire life fighting for working class Americans and building a movement to stand up to the oligarchy,” Lander said in a Facebook post.

Lander also announced endorsements from several others, including Mamdani and Sen. Elizabeth Warren.

“Brad is the real deal,” Warren said in an X post. “He is a fighter for New Yorkers. He has the experience, the values, and the grit to not just win this race, but deliver for working families.”

Goldman has been serving New York’s 10th Congressional District since 2023 and is running for reelection. A spokesperson for his campaign told CBS News New York that Goldman is focused on the Trump administration rather than people entering the Democratic primary.

“Dan is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what they’re doing to immigrant families in his district right now. He’s proud of his progressive record in Congress and will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year,” said Goldman spokesperson Maddy Rosen.