New York City Comptroller Brad Lander’s run for mayor is setting off a game of political musical chairs, with other left-leaning Democrats vying for a seat once thought untouchable.
While it’s unlikely that Lander would challenge Mayor Adams in the 2025 Democratic primary, it would set up a crowded race for comptroller next year and tightly contested races for borough president in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
Democratic consultant John Paul Lupo said the political battle is the result of many progressive Democrats believing that Adams, a moderate, could win the primary.
“It’s very unusual in New York City politics to have a midterm election this cycle,” Lupo said. “The last time a sitting city clerk challenged a sitting mayor was in 2009. [then-Comptroller] Bill Thompson ran against Mike Bloomberg for mayor. [and lost]This tends to create a lot of competition and open seats.”
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine is expected to announce his candidacy for comptroller soon, according to multiple sources, and Manhattan Borough Councilman Keith Powers, who is term-limited, will run for borough president following Levine’s resignation.
Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso is also seriously considering running for comptroller, according to sources, as is Brooklyn Borough Councilman Justin Brannan, a fellow Democrat who is term-limited.
Reynoso is “about 50/50” on running for comptroller and trying to become the first Latino elected to a citywide election, or playing it safe and seeking a second term as mayor veep, a source with knowledge of his thinking said.
If Reynoso runs for comptroller, Brannan will run for borough president, according to sources. If Reynoso doesn’t run, Brannan will run for comptroller.
City Councilman Ki Osse (D-Brooklyn) is also considering running for borough president if Reynoso runs for comptroller.
Assemblywoman Jennifer Rajkumar, a moderate Democrat from Queens and an ally of Adams, announced her candidacy for comptroller last month.
