Brad Lander, the current New York City Comptroller, is set to challenge Mayor Eric Adams for the Democratic mayoral nomination in the upcoming election. Despite rumors swirling for months about Lander potentially running for mayor, he has now confirmed to key donors that he will be entering the race. With Adams’ poll numbers lagging and progressive state Senator Zellnor Myrie also considering a run for mayor, Lander has been actively lining up support for his bid.
According to sources, Lander’s bid for mayor will be formally announced in early July. He has already engaged Global Strategy Group for polling in preparation for his campaign. This group has previously worked with Gov. Kathy Hochul and was also involved in Lander’s campaign for comptroller. Additionally, Politico reported that BerlinRosen has been hired for political consulting. Despite these indicators of a mayoral run, Lander has not responded to requests for comment on the matter.
One donor expressed surprise at Lander’s expected bid for mayor, indicating that he believed the comptroller would wait to see the outcome of the federal probe into Adams’ prior mayoral campaign before making a decision. If Lander does indeed run for mayor, it would create an open race for the role of comptroller, which is being eyed by key Adams ally, state Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar. This potential shift in leadership roles within New York City’s government indicates a significant change on the horizon.
Lander’s decision to challenge Adams for the mayoral nomination comes at a time when the current mayor’s poll numbers are on the decline. With the added competition from Senator Myrie’s exploratory committee for mayor, Lander’s entry into the race adds another layer of complexity to the upcoming election. His strong progressive credentials and previous experience as comptroller position him as a viable contender in the Democratic primary.
The involvement of established polling and consulting firms in Lander’s campaign preparation signals a serious and organized approach to his bid for mayor. By actively lining up support from key donors and political allies, Lander is positioning himself as a strong challenger to Adams’ re-election bid. The upcoming mayoral race promises to be a highly contested and competitive one, with multiple candidates vying for the Democratic nomination.
As Lander’s expected mayoral announcement draws near, the political landscape in New York City continues to evolve. The potential for a heated mayoral race and an open contest for the role of comptroller adds to the uncertainty surrounding the city’s leadership. With Lander’s decision to enter the race, the dynamics of the upcoming election are set to shift, creating opportunities for new voices and perspectives to shape the future of New York City.
