Democratic Representative Dan Goldman lost the New York 10th Congressional District primary on Tuesday night to former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander, who captured almost two-thirds of the vote in a race that highlighted deep divisions within the Democratic Party over Israel policy.
The defeat makes Goldman the fifth House incumbent to lose a primary election in 2026, a year that has proven unusually difficult for sitting members of Congress. The same night, another Democratic incumbent, Representative Adriano Espaillat, also lost his primary bid, underscoring the turbulent political environment facing established lawmakers.
Main Developments in the NY-10 Race
Lander’s victory in the Brooklyn-based district came with strong support from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who backed the former comptroller throughout the campaign. The race became a focal point for Democratic debates over U.S. policy toward Israel, with both candidates taking different approaches to the issue.
Goldman, who entered Congress after narrowly winning a crowded primary in 2022, had built a national profile as the lead counsel during President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial. Despite his prominence and extensive endorsements, Goldman could not overcome the challenge from Lander.
The incumbent secured support from some of the most powerful figures in New York and national Democratic politics. Governor Kathy Hochul endorsed Goldman, as did House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Key labor unions also backed his re-election bid. Additionally, Goldman received support from both AIPAC and J Street, organizations that often find themselves on opposite sides of debates about Israel policy.
Lander, meanwhile, drew endorsements from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts both supported his campaign. These endorsements helped Lander consolidate support among voters seeking a different approach from their congressional representative.
What We Know So Far
The primary results show Lander winning almost two-thirds of the vote, a decisive margin that exceeded many expectations. Both Goldman and Lander are Jewish, yet the candidates represented different perspectives on Israel policy, which became a central issue in the race.
Lander’s campaign faced scrutiny after he was arrested last year following an altercation with federal officers at immigration court. However, a judge found Lander not guilty of misdemeanor charges this month, clearing him of legal issues just before the primary election.
Goldman’s loss comes despite his efforts to leverage his role in the Trump impeachment proceedings and his connections to Democratic leadership. His narrow 2022 primary victory suggested vulnerability, and Lander successfully capitalized on divisions within the district’s Democratic electorate.
The same election night saw Representative Adriano Espaillat lose his primary bid, making it a particularly difficult evening for Democratic incumbents in New York. These losses reflect broader challenges facing established politicians as voters in some districts seek change.
What Happens Next
Lander will now represent Democrats in the general election for New York’s 10th Congressional District. The district, based in Brooklyn, has historically voted Democratic, making Lander the likely representative for the area in the next Congress.
Goldman’s defeat leaves questions about what comes next for the former impeachment counsel, though his immediate political future remains unclear following this loss.
The pattern of incumbent losses in 2026 primaries suggests voters in certain districts are willing to replace sitting members of Congress with new candidates. With Goldman becoming the fifth House incumbent to lose a primary this year, political observers will continue watching how this trend affects other races.
Important Details About the Race
The New York 10th Congressional District includes parts of Brooklyn, making it a significant seat in the New York City political landscape. The district’s Democratic primary often determines the eventual representative due to the area’s voting patterns.
Goldman first won the seat in 2022 in a competitive primary that featured multiple candidates. His narrow victory in that race indicated potential vulnerability to future challenges, which materialized in the form of Lander’s campaign.
The Israel policy divide that shaped this race reflects broader tensions within the Democratic Party. Goldman’s support from both AIPAC and J Street represented an attempt to bridge different perspectives, while Lander positioned himself with backing from progressive senators who have been critical of certain U.S. policies toward Israel.
Mayor Mamdani’s endorsement of Lander proved significant in the race. The mayor’s support helped legitimize Lander’s campaign and provided organizational benefits in reaching voters throughout the district.
Lander’s arrest at immigration court last year briefly threatened to derail his campaign. The incident occurred during an altercation with federal officers, leading to misdemeanor charges. However, the not guilty verdict this month removed a potential obstacle to his candidacy just in time for the primary election.
Context of 2026 Primary Losses
Goldman joins four other House incumbents who have lost primary elections in 2026. This number represents an unusually high rate of incumbent defeats, suggesting that voters in some districts are actively seeking to replace their current representatives.
The factors driving these losses vary by district and candidate, but the overall pattern indicates a challenging environment for some sitting members of Congress. Both progressive challengers and candidates with different policy positions have successfully unseated incumbents this year.
Representative Espaillat’s loss on the same night as Goldman’s defeat adds to the evidence of voter appetite for change in certain New York districts. The simultaneous losses attracted attention to the state’s Democratic primary results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the NY-10 Democratic primary?
Brad Lander, the former New York City Comptroller, won the Democratic primary in New York’s 10th Congressional District, defeating incumbent Representative Dan Goldman with almost two-thirds of the vote.
Why did Dan Goldman lose his primary?
Goldman lost despite significant endorsements from Governor Kathy Hochul, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and key labor unions. The race highlighted divisions over Israel policy within the Democratic Party, and Lander secured strong support from Mayor Zohran Mamdani and progressive senators.
How many House incumbents have lost primaries in 2026?
Dan Goldman is the fifth House incumbent to lose a primary election in 2026. Representative Adriano Espaillat also lost his primary bid on the same night.
What was Dan Goldman known for before Congress?
Goldman served as lead counsel during President Donald Trump’s first impeachment trial before winning his congressional seat in 2022.
Who endorsed Brad Lander in the NY-10 primary?
Lander received endorsements from New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, and Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.
The New York 10th Congressional District primary results mark a significant shift in the district’s representation. Lander’s decisive victory positions him as the likely next representative for the Brooklyn-based seat, while Goldman’s defeat adds to the growing list of incumbent losses that have defined the 2026 primary season.
