In a surprising turn of events, City Comptroller Brad Lander has declared his candidacy in a three-way race for the Democratic nomination for mayor of New York City. His announcement follows a declaration by a panel convened by the New York Times Editorial Board, which named him the “best overall pick” for the position.
During a press conference held in Manhattan on Thursday morning, Lander stated that the recognition from the 15-member expert panel significantly alters the dynamics of a race that has seen former Governor Andrew Cuomo in the lead and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani trailing as of late.
Out of the panel members, seven chose Lander as their top preference, a decision influenced by a project from the Times titled “The Choice.” Lander expressed his pride in receiving this endorsement, illustrating the importance of the Times in shaping public opinion and civic discourse.
“The New York Times has long been the gold standard for civic life, providing scrutiny on candidates, looking at the issues, looking at people’s leadership and management experience, and whether they can deliver on the promises they’re making,” Lander said.
The recommendation from the Times Opinion editors was based on the collective assessments of the nine leading candidates in the upcoming June 24 Democratic primary. This marks a departure from the traditional endorsement process the Times has used in previous city elections, opting instead for a panel-based approach to gather diverse insights.
The panel, comprised of local experts—including business leaders such as restaurateur Danny Meyer and Warby Parker founder Neil Blumenthal, alongside academics like Fordham University political scientist Christina Greer and NYU urban policy professor Mitchell Moss—also included political veterans such as Howard Wolfson and former Democratic Brooklyn state Senator Iwen Chu.
According to the Times, Lander was viewed as a balanced option between the other frontrunners, Andrew Cuomo and Zohran Mamdani. While Cuomo garnered attention due to previous controversies that overshadowed his administration, Mamdani was perceived as lacking sufficient experience and too far-left to appeal to a broader audience.
The panel credited Lander with effectively managing the comptroller’s office and possessing the ability to build consensus among various groups, which is critical for tackling imminent challenges facing the city. Furthermore, they highlighted his strong instincts particularly on issues related to education and the economy, commending his intention to maintain current NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in her position if he wins.
Lander commented on the Times panel’s findings, reiterating his commitment to public integrity and progressive values. “I’ve got the public integrity that New Yorkers deserve, the progressive values that New Yorkers share, and the management chops to deliver on them,” he stated.
Despite not receiving a formal endorsement from the Times Editorial Board, this recognition could provide a significant boost to Lander’s campaign as the nomination race intensifies.
Lander has been consistently polling in a competitive third or fourth place, often alongside City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, while Cuomo and Mamdani have held the first and second spots in various surveys. It is worth noting that Times endorsements have historically shifted momentum in mayoral races, as evidenced by Kathryn Garcia’s rise in 2021 after receiving the publication’s endorsement.
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