It was clear from the start of Monday night’s debate how these candidates feel about each other.
“This is not a moment for career politicians desperately seeking another job,” Rep. Dan Goldman said in his opening statement.
He was describing Brad Lander, the former city comptroller and mayoral candidate who’s challenging Goldman in the Democratic primary for New York’s 10th Congressional District, which covers Manhattan south of 14th Street and a swath of Brooklyn.
During the debate on NY1, Lander sought to differentiate himself as the stronger critic of Israel.
“He voted for every U.S. military aid package to Israel,” Lander said of Goldman. “He won’t recognize it as genocide. He’s never used the word occupation to describe Israel’s occupation of the West Bank and Gaza.”
“Israel is not the most important issue in this district,” Goldman said at one point.
Instead, Goldman said what he hears from voters are concerns about the actions of the Trump administration. He’s pushed back against U.S.. Immigration and Customs Enforcement tactics at 26 Federal Plaza in Lower Manhattan. So too has Lander, who’s been arrested there twice.
“I am the one who is going to do the work and to make a difference,” Goldman said, “and you’ll hear Brad talk about putting his body on the line and getting arrested, but all he’s doing with that is fundraising.”
“I first called for abolishing ICE in 2018. Rep. Goldman first called for it a month or two ago. He’s a ‘Danny Come Lately,'” Lander said.
Indeed, both candidates accused the other of political expediency. Lander suggested Goldman only recently arrived at his more progressive positions. Goldman accused Lander of reversing himself on issues like the Brooklyn Marine Terminal project.
“That’s the problem with Brad Lander is that he will tell you one thing behind a closed door and say something else when it is convenient for him in an electoral race,” Goldman said. “He will continue to flip-flop, and he cannot be trusted.”
Lander referenced Goldman’s Robinhood Act, which would create a new tax on the ultra-wealthy.
“His Robinhood Act he also only introduced after I announced my campaign, or got ready to run for Congress,” Lander said. “It’s so he can put a mailer in your mailbox.”
A recent poll showed Lander with a 34-point lead in the race, which may explain why Goldman was seemingly in attack mode Monday. The incumbent took constant swipes at his challenger — including for not agreeing to more debates.
“If you can’t stand up to me, how are you going to stand up to Donald Trump?” Goldman said.
“I’m facing you right now, and we’ve done 30 forums,” Lander replied. “Several of them I was there in person and you didn’t even show up, like at Stonewall. I was there. You didn’t even come.”
“Yeah, because I actually have a job in Washington. That’s where I was,” Goldman said.
