Brad Lander’s Progressive Zionism: A Potential Challenge in New York City Mayoral Race

Who is Brad Lander?

Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller, and the city’s highest-ranking Jewish elected official, may soon announce his candidacy for New York City mayor. The city’s Jewish demographic, a formidable force in electoral politics, could face a heat in this progressive versus incumbent scenario. Regularly seen at the peaceful demonstrations initiated by Israeli-led activists in Manhattan’s Union Square, Lander’s Zionist sentiments and progressive values have often brought him to the spotlight.

Facing the incumbent Mayor, Eric Adams

The possibility of Lander running for the mayor’s office presents a refreshing alternative to the incumbent Mayor, Eric Adams. Many perceive Eric Adam’s stance as more mainstream, rigid, and not as flexible as Lander’s progressive ideologies. This potential face-off could polarize the city’s large population of Jewish Democratic voters at a time when antisemitism has spiked alarmingly in New York and when the city’s streets reverberate with protests over the Israel-Hamas war.

Scrutiny from Political Circles

Though Lander’s association with far-left figures, including critics of Israel, could pose as a challenge, many Jews in left-leaning spaces believe that he is a genuine representative of their values. Moreover, New York Jewish Agenda’s director, Phylisa Wisdom, vouched for Lander’s deep-rooted commitment to social justice and his profound connection to Judaism. In recent times, Lander has equally evinced interest in broader, city-specific issues beyond those that concern the Jewish community, expressing his desire to cultivate a safer, more affordable, and better-managed city.

Lander’s Background and Political Journey

The 55-year-old Lander has been inspired by liberal politics from a tender age and draws profoundly from his Jewish identity. Hailing from a Reform Jewish community outside St. Louis, Missouri, Lander made his strides into the elective politics in 2009 as a representative of the City Council’s 39th District. Over the years, he has championed issues like workers’ rights and affordable housing. His role at city hall has seen him uphold his progressive values while also representing the diverse demographic of his area, including a significant orthodox Jewish population.

As a city comptroller, he has shown dexterity in his role as the city’s chief financial officer and has taken initiatives such as responsibly investing in pension funds and providing loans for rent stabilized housing. Despite the challenges posed by his progressive views and his associations, Lander believes in his potential to lead the city in a new direction.

Stance on Israel, Zionism and Antisemitism

While progressive Jewish officials’ calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war were rare, Brad Lander was among the early ones to advocate for it. Moreover, he has maintained his connections to the Jewish left. Even if he has been found rallying alongside anti-Zionist groups, he upholds a progressive Zionist position.

Lander’s progressive stances and ties to some hardline left-wing politicians have been scrutinized. Despite the criticisms, Lander extends his support to non-Zionist Jews and calls for greater acceptance of them in Jewish spaces. He insists on being judged by his track record and hopes that people will acknowledge his sincerity.

Potential Challenges in Mayoral Candidacy

Despite his authentic political ethos, Lander’s candidacy will not be without its challenges. Among various obstacles will be the difficulty of securing donors, winning over voters in Manhattan and Black communities, and potential other left-leaning candidates vying for progressive votes. However, he remains optimistic and aims to present the case that what matters most to New Yorkers is a city that is safer, more affordable, and better run.