New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is running against Eric Adams for mayor

Brad Lander, the city comptroller, is running for New York City mayor, making him Eric Adams’ first official major challenger in the 2025 Democratic primary.

Lander declared his candidacy on Tuesday morning — with an interview in The New York Times and a post on X, formerly Twitter.

"We grind here — it’s who we are as New Yorkers. Above all else, we get the job done, no excuses. But where’s that from Mayor Adams?" the post said. "It’s time for strong, experienced leadership that delivers real results."

Other Democrats have formed exploratory committees to consider runs for mayor — allowing them to raise money — such as former comptroller Scott Stringer, of Manhattan, and state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, of Brooklyn. But Lander, also of Brooklyn, is the first to declare a run, skipping the exploratory step altogether. All three are to Adams' political left.

For example, Lander said in an interview with Newsday, he would end several Adams policies, including sweeps to break up street homeless encampments ("they’re ineffective," he said of the sweeps, "and in many cases cruel as well."). Instead, he said, he’d more effectively harness the city’s bureaucracy and housing vouchers.

"I’m gonna pledge as mayor to effectively end street homelessness of severely mentally ill people in New York City," he said. "That’ll be a safer city and a more humane city."

Lander said he’d also end the current homeless shelter limits for foreign migrants, imposed over the last year under Adams. The limits cap stays at 30 or 60 days for most adults.

"What’s happening right now in many cases is making it harder for people to get work authorization," Lander said, citing how migrants are missing mail from the federal government sent to shelters because it is being lost during the churn.

He said he isn’t opposed to some limit on stays but did not provide a number.

Adams, who is the city’s second Black mayor, has said criticism of him is motivated by racism.

Responding on Tuesday to Lander's declaration, Adams said: "I knew he was doing an announcement. I thought his announcement was to go to assist the first woman of color to be the president of the United States, not take the second man of color from being the mayor of the City of New York."

Lander — who noted he endorsed Kamala Harris before Adams did — said the New Yorkers who are concerned about issues such as rent affordability and public safety are "from every race; they're from every neighborhood, they're across all five boroughs."

Earlier this month was the first public filing deadline of the 2025 season. According to disclosures filed with the city Campaign Finance Board, Lander raised about $198,000.

Adams leads the pack, raising about $1.1 million. Stringer raised about $425,000 and Myrie brought in about $326,000.

Adams has record-low popularity according to polling, and there is a federal investigation of public corruption related to his 2021 campaign for mayor and administration.

By Matthew Chayes

matthew.chayes@newsday.comchayesmatthew

Matthew Chayes, a Newsday reporter since 2007, covers New York City.