When Representative Dan Goldman first ran for Congress in 2022, there were several factors on his side: The seat was open after redistricting; as a Levi Strauss heir, he could pour millions of dollars into the race; and he faced several rivals running to his left.
Now, two terms later, he is in a one-on-one fight to defend his seat against Brad Lander, a challenger with longstanding ties to the district who has support from Zohran Mamdani, New York City’s progressive new mayor.
Mr. Lander, the former city comptroller, is part of an insurgent left wing of Democratic primary challengers this year, but he has campaigned like an incumbent.
The district includes liberal swaths of brownstone Brooklyn that Mr. Lander previously represented in the City Council, and he has led in the limited polls that are available.
Mr. Lander and Mr. Goldman are both Jewish, and the campaign has also focused on Israel’s war in Gaza. Mr. Lander has forcefully criticized Israel and portrayed Mr. Goldman, a longtime supporter of the country, as out of touch with his district.
Mr. Goldman has said he does not support the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has argued that debates about Israel distract from the issues affecting voters.
Mr. Lander finished third in last year’s mayoral primary after a cross-endorsement with Mr. Mamdani, who quickly backed him for the House seat. He has appeared frequently with the mayor, including in a basketball-themed television advertisement with Mr. Mamdani and two other progressive House candidates.
One of Mr. Lander’s final ads features Mr. Mamdani telling voters that Mr. Lander “shows up for you” and highlights his arrest at an immigration facility last year.
Mr. Goldman, a former federal prosecutor who led the first impeachment case against President Trump and who did not endorse Mr. Mamdani for mayor, has sought to convince voters that he is the strongest candidate to confront the president.
One of Mr. Goldman’s closing ads, with a voice-over by the actor Robert De Niro, features Mr. Trump calling Mr. Goldman a loser.
“The best way to stop Trump: Put the right people in charge,” the ad says.
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