New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is officially challenging Mayor Eric Adams in next year’s Democratic primary for City Hall, following weeks of rumors that he would join a growing list of candidates looking to challenge the incumbent from the left.
Lander, who currently holds the third-highest prominent citywide elected office behind Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, announced his candidacy via a campaign video posted online early Tuesday morning.
In the video, Lander — a staunch progressive from Brooklyn who has wielded his office largely as a check on Adams — took direct aim at the many areas in which he believes the current mayor has fallen short. That includes the basics like public safety and education as well as affordable housing, open public libraries and greater access to child care.
“We can replace a leader when they fail the basic tests of the job: to be honest with us, to keep our families safe, to make sure our kids learn, the basic things New Yorkers need their government to do,” Lander says in the video. “It’s time for strong experienced leadership that delivers real results. Time to deliver fairness and safety. To build a more affordable and livable city.”
The comptroller, during a Tuesday morning interview on Pix11, blasted Adams’ record over his two and a half years in office.
“Mayor Adams promised to get stuff done, but every day I hear from people all across the five boroughs that he’s not getting the stuff done that really matters to New Yorkers,” Lander said, invoking Adams’ signature catchphrase. “He promised safety; people feel more anxious and unsafe. He promised affordability, but the rents are higher than ever. He promised child care seats, but there were thousands of people on waitlists. The city’s future demands better leadership now.”
Mayor Adams, during his wide-ranging weekly news conference, slammed Lander for launching a campaign against him, instead of focussing on supporting Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign.
“I thought his announcement was to go to assist the first woman of color to be president of the United States, not take the second man of color from being the mayor of the City of New York,” Adams said, referring to the fact that both Harris and himself are Black. “I think we need to be focussed on one mission. The mission is electing VP Harris and that’s what I’m focussed on. And I’m sure he’s gonna join me in that once he sees the importance of that.”
Statements shared by Adams’ campaign from a couple of his supporters, NYNAACP head Dr. Hazel Dukes and US Rep. Gregory Meeks reflected similar sentiments.
The comptroller, however, has been a vocal supporter of Harris’ candidacy and is part of a group called Dads for Kamala, his campaign said.
Lander poses perhaps the most formidable challenge to Adams yet out of a fast-growing field of contenders running to the mayor’s left. He reported having raised $651,000 for his comptroller reelection bid earlier this month, funds that he can use for his mayoral run, a portion of which his campaign says can unlock $3 million in public matching funds.
Lander also told amNewYork Metro, in an interview, that he plans to campaign on bold progressive policy ideas. Those include a ending street homelessness for those with severe mental illness, creating a new affordable homeownership program like Mitchell-Lama and establishing a universal afterschool program.
The race already includes Scott Stringer, Lander’s predecessor as comptroller who unsuccessfully ran for mayor in 2021; and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie (D-Brooklyn). But while Stringer and Myrie reported strong fundraising hauls earlier this month, both campaigns remain in the exploratory phase.
The number of growing challengers to the mayor seems to reflect, to some observers, Adadms’ politically weakened position due to lagging poll numbers and ongoing federal investigations into his 2021 campaign.
When asked on Pix11 about what distinguishes him from his competitors, Lander pointed to his “track-record of results” during his time as comptroller.
“We protected the retirement security of our teachers and cops and firefighters,” Lander said. “We’ve had really successful investments of the $275 billion invested in affordable housing, in small businesses.”
However, there is already some concern in progressive circles that too many candidates running to Adams’ left could spread resources and support to thin and hand the race to the incumbent. Lander expressed confidence that that will not happen, indicating that progressives will work together to figure out a way to defeat Adams.
“One thing we’ve seen in recent months is that we’re well served by robust primaries in which people put forward their vision and talk about their track record and how they’ll deliver it,” he told amNewYork Metro. “Zellnor and Scott are friends and one thing we all agree on is that we need a new mayor. There will be a time for strategic decision-making as the election gets closer.”
Some pols wasted no time in reacting to Lander’s announcement.
Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar (D-Queens), one Adams’ closest allies who is exploring a run for comptroller herself, urged Lander to commit to the mayoral race rather than seek re-election as comptroller if his hopes of beating Adams turn sour.
“I call on Comptroller Lander to assure New Yorkers that he is fully committed to his mayoral campaign and will not disgrace his office by reverting back to a Comptroller campaign as a back up plan,” she said, in a statement. “New Yorkers deserve leaders who are steadfast in their ambitions, transparent about their intentions, and committed to the office they hold. I look forward to a robust and transparent campaign season.”
