Progressive Democrat vs Moderate Mayor

Lander is among a few Democrats eager to challenge Adams, a moderate figure whose popularity has significantly dipped recently. Though Lander has progressive roots, his campaign launch video sidesteps his political leanings. Instead, the video accentuates the plights of New York citizens alarmed by potential library budget cuts and the escalating costs of child care.

In a part of the video, Lander states, “can replace a leader when they fail the basic tests of the job: to be honest with us, to keep our families safe, to make sure our kids learn. The basic things New Yorkers need their government to do.”

Fulfilling Duties as the City Comptroller

Lander, who is 55, frequently scrutinizes the city’s financial matters and audits expenses in his role as the city comptroller. This position has naturally positioned him as a counterbalance to Mayor Adams.

A notable incident last December saw Lander curtail Mayor Adams’ emergency spending privileges following issues with a company granted a hefty $432 million contract without a competitive bidding process to provide services to migrants. Another initiative led by Lander’s office has been litigation to expedite congestion pricing.

A Forceful Handling of the Influx of Migrants

Lander has been a vehement critic of Mayor Adams and has repeatedly highlighted Adams’s handling of the migrant influx as symptomatic of the Mayor’s inadequacies in dealing with crises. As Lander throws his hat in the ring for the mayoral race, this potentially promises a face-off between two distinct ideologies and approaches to governance within the Democratic camp.