Rep. Dan Goldman on Thursday challenged his NY-10 Democratic primary opponent, former Comptroller Brad Lander, to seven televised debates before the upcoming June 23 primary.
The debates would be hosted by “every willing New York City broadcast network” that reaches voters in the district, Goldman said in his challenge, listing Spectrum News NY1, CBS2 New York, NBC4 New York, FOX5 New York, ABC7 New York, PIX11 and News 12 Brooklyn. (It was unclear whether these networks have agreed to host these debates.)
New York’s 10th Congressional District includes most of Western Brooklyn and lower Manhattan. The Supreme Court’s recent decision preserving the boundaries of NY-11, adjacent to NY-10, has allowed the Goldman-Lander primary battle to officially get underway. Had that decision gone the other way, Goldman could have faced a run against Republican Rep. Nicole Malliotakis.
“With our democracy at stake, our most fundamental rights on the line, and a growing affordability crisis, New Yorkers from every corner of the district deserve to hear how the candidates seeking to represent them will address these critical issues,” Goldman said in a release announcing the debate challenge.
The Brooklyn Eagle reached out to Lander’s campaign to ask about their willingness to participate in seven debates.
“We’re happy to do debates, we think they’re an important part of our democracy,” campaign spokesperson Lauren Hitt said.
She added, “As the internet has pointed out, seven debates is a bit excessive but we will make sure voters have plenty of opportunities to compare the candidates.”
Brad Lander. Photo: NYC Comptroller’s Office
Is 7 too many?
Hitt’s “internet” remark was in reference to political commentary posted on sites including X and Bluesky, following Goldman’s challenge. Many posted that seven debates is “way too much.”
In response to a thread started on X by Shane Goldmacher, Jesse Newman ribbed, “Only 7? Why not 24?”
“What do you even talk about after, like, the fifth one?” asked another poster.
Someone named Joey challenged Goldman to 700 debates.
Others, in a more serious vein, read the challenge as a sign of political weakness.
“A good rule of thumb is that the candidate who thinks they’re behind generally wants more debates,” wrote Adam Carlson, a founding partner of Zenith Polls.
Not everyone saw storm clouds for Goldman’s campaign, however.
More debates would benefit candidates who are “literal prosecutors,” a commenter named just “Jake” posted. (Goldman is a lawyer, who served as lead counsel in the first impeachment of President Donald Trump.)
Another commenter, Warren Newcorn, wrote, “If Lander only agrees to one debate, I strongly suspect he has no chance of being endorsed by” The New York Times or Daily News.
“Stay tuned for the dates and times of these televised NY-10 primary debates,” Goldman said in his release.
SUNSET PARK — “As a resident of Marine Park, one of the great surprises I found biking around Industry City and visiting Japan Village was to discover Bush Terminal Park. I continue to be amazed at the serene hideaways that the city offers in some of the busiest places — and, still, with an iconic view.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — ‘A miracle that no one was killed …’ That’s what neighbors are saying about the collapse of the Hotel St. George marquee. Shown in this photograph are workmen beginning the removal and repair of the historic, old neon sign at the corner, referencing a relic of Brooklyn Heights’ past: the St. George Hotel.
ATLANTIC AVENUE — Exhausted shopper with cluster of bags and goods from mall at Boerum Place stops to look at huge construction site across the street. “Is that REALLY going to be a jail??” Her male companion is reassuring, “Nothing like Rikers … this is 21st Century.”
BROOKLYN HEIGHTS — Overheard in line at one of most popular pastry outlets on Montague Street: “Hope I can get them into a camp …” A mother with two pre-schoolers in tow was showing a friend the Dodge Y flyer for Healthy Kids Day on Saturday, April 18.
