5 takeaways from Brad Lander, Dan Goldman primary debate for NY's 10th District seat

Dave Goldiner, New York Daily News on Jun 2, 2026

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NEW YORK — Brad Lander and Rep. Dan Goldman faced off in the first debate in their contentious Democratic primary in the NY-10 district.

The rivals traded barbs over Israel, immigration and even the Park Slope Food Coop in the hourlong televised showdown that was tense but short on real fireworks and didn’t produce any apparent knockout blows.

Goldman, a two-term incumbent, accused Lander of being a job-shopping opportunist.

“This is not a moment for career politicians desperately seeking another job,” Goldman said.

Lander, who turned a losing mayoral campaign into an effective political alliance with Mayor Zohran Mamdani, lumped Goldman in with the party’s establishment that he said needs shaking up.

“it’s time for new leadership in the Democratic Party. That’s why I’m running,” Lander said.

Here are five takeaways after the Spectrum News debate.

Raining on Israel parade

Lander hammered home his more progressive stance on Israel, which most analysts believe could give him an edge in the district’s many left-leaning neighborhoods.

The former comptroller vowed to oppose military aid to the Jewish state in Congress and said he’s proud of his decision to shun the Israel Day Parade, which drew far right-wing ministers who support Israeli annexation of the West Bank and the war in Gaza.

“He won’t recognize (the Gaza war) as genocide,” Lander said of Goldman. “He’s never used the word occupation to describe Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.”

Brad Lander, left, and Rep. Dan Goldman participate in the first debate in their contentious Democratic primary in the NY-10 district on Monday, June 1, 2026. (NY1) Goldman countered by noting that he has sharply criticized the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu even though he remains a staunch supporter of the Jewish state.

“Israel is not the most important issue in this district,” Goldman said.

Park Slope food fight

The debate veered into the divisive dispute over the Park Slope Food Coop, which recently voted overwhelmingly to boycott Israeli products.

Goldman slammed Lander for what he derided as a mealy-mouthed stance on the boycott push, which those in opposition assert boosts calls to wipe Israel off the map.

Brad Lander, left, and Rep. Dan Goldman participate in the first debate in their contentious Democratic primary in the NY-10 district on Monday, June 1, 2026. (NY1) Lander opposed the resolution but said those who voted in favor of the boycott are not anti-semitic for launching a non-violent protest against Israel.

“Many of them are Jewish,” Lander added.

ICE, ICE baby

The two candidates both touted their work pushing back against President Donald Trump’s mass deportation campaign. Goldman took credit for what he called results-oriented work performing oversight on an immigration jail in lower Manhattan.

“I am the one who is going to do the work and to make a difference,” Goldman said

He accused Lander of showboating with an attention-grabbing arrest last year as he tried to protect an undocumented immigrant from detention.

Lander said Goldman was late to the fight against the Immigration and Customs Enforcement crackdown, noting that the incumbent was quiet on calls to abolish ICE until the primary heated up.

“He’s a ‘Danny come lately,'” Lander said.

Go New York Go

Both candidates said they would be rooting for the Knicks when they start their NBA Finals series on Wednesday in San Antonio.

Goldman said he “absolutely” plans to attend one of the games at Madison Square Garden.

Lander got in a dig at his multimillionaire opponent by noting he’ll be watching, but from a local bar, not the pricy courtside seats.

“There’s no way I can afford those get-in prices,” Lander said

What’s next in the race?

Lander holds the lead in polls of the district that spans lower Manhattan and a large swath of brownstone Brooklyn, where he is very well known and liked.

The winner of the June 23 primary is almost certain to win a two-year term in the fall midterms over token Republican opposition.

The next and last scheduled debate between the two rivals is planned for Monday, June 15 at 7 pm on WPIX television.

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