A hotly contested primary battle for one of New York City’s coveted congressional seats has reached a breaking point over outside spending, with a progressive challenger Brad Lander demanding the incumbent Democrat, Dan Goldman, sign a joint pledge discouraging third-party advertising in their race.
The proposed pledge heightens scrutiny of campaign spending in the highly Jewish district by the pro-Israel lobby, which is dropping millions to influence Democratic primaries while it sheds support among voters and candidates amid its backing of hostilities in Gaza, Iran, and elsewhere.
There are also deep-pocketed cryptocurrency and artificial intelligence political action committees (PACs) that have backed Representative Goldman (D-NY) in the past and are now reportedly eyeing the New York race after leaving a money trail across Illinois, trying to defeat progressives.
As was revealed exclusively to the Lever, on Monday, former New York City Comptroller Lander challenged New York District 10 incumbent Representative Goldman to sign a “People’s Pledge,” a campaign agreement aimed at limiting the influence of PACS and super PACs.
The proposed pledge would deter third-party advertising by requiring candidates to make charitable donations equivalent to 50 percent of all outside PAC advertising money spent on their behalf, and 75 percent of related spending by “dark money” PACs that do not disclose donors.
Such donations would have to come from campaign funds, not personal wealth.
Available campaign finance data shows that Lander has raised roughly $623,000 in individual contributions and $5,000 from the Working Families Party PAC. Conversely, Goldman — a millionaire and heir to the Levi Strauss fortune — has raised more than $2 million, including $1.4 million from individuals and more than $668,000 from PAC contributions and transfers.
“NY-10 is not for sale,” Lander told the Lever. “Dark money super PACs and special interests have…
Auteur: Veronica Riccobene
