Democratic New York Rep. Dan Goldman lost his primary election Tuesday after the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) backed him.
Goldman’s challenger, former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, defeated Goldman in the Democratic primary to represent New York’s 10th Congressional District after running on a platform that was critical of the pro-Israel lobby, according to NBC News and The New York Times. His endorsements from prominent figures and support among younger voters helped propel Lander to victory.
Goldman received nearly $195,000 in campaign donations from AIPAC and affiliated groups during his reelection bid, according to OpenSecrets. AIPAC’s super political action committee (PAC), United Democracy Project, has shelled out more than $38 million in the 2026 election cycle so far, and is on track to break its 2024 presidential-year spending record, according to Politico. The super PAC spent $26 million during the 2022 midterm election cycle.
Lander accused Goldman of refusing to criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza and of being too aligned with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
During a debate with PIX11, Goldman argued that describing Israel’s actions in Gaza as “genocide” is complicated, but stated that what happened in Gaza was “horrific.” Lander said AIPAC was hurting the Democratic Party by demanding unconditional support for Israel’s wars. Goldman stated that AIPAC had “real problems” and should not unconditionally support the Israeli government, though he defended his support for the lobbying group.
In his campaign launch video, Lander promised he would not do “AIPAC’s bidding” if elected to Congress.
This is a five-alarm fire. A fascist is in the White House, rogue ICE agents are on the streets, and billionaires are trying to buy our elections.
It’s time to elect better Democrats who will fight, not fold.
Get out and vote today. Find your poll site here:… pic.twitter.com/z5d1Wi6xJp
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) June 23, 2026
Goldman served as the lead majority counsel for House Democrats during President Donald Trump’s 2019 impeachment trial, which was launched after Trump’s phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to gather information on former President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter’s, placement on the board of directors at Burisma, a Ukrainian energy company. Goldman later announced his candidacy for Congress in 2022.
Lander received endorsements from Democratic Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, independent Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, Democratic New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the far-left Working Families Party.
Lander’s platform calls for abolishing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and packing the Supreme Court by adding four additional justices, according to his campaign website. He also supports providing surgeries for trans-identifying minors, expanding access to abortion and implementing taxpayer-funded housing.
However, Lander also campaigned against warrantless surveillance on Americans and for ending the Iran war, positions championed by some civil libertarians on the political right.
Younger voters strongly favored Lander, while older voters were split, according to the Courthouse News Service. Lander’s most significant support came from voters under the age of 40.
The former city comptroller was arrested in June 2025 after he allegedly assaulted Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers. Those charges were dropped by authorities shortly after his arrest. He was also arrested in September 2025 after staging a sit-in protesting the detention of illegal migrants in lower Manhattan, though a judge acquitted him in a June 11 ruling.
(DCNF)
