NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Talks Mayoral Election

Summary

Podcast Summary

Podcast: Bloomberg Talks

Episode: NYC Comptroller Brad Lander Talks Mayoral Election
Date: November 3, 2025
Host: Bloomberg
Guest: Brad Lander, NYC Comptroller and former mayoral candidate

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Brad Lander, New York City's Comptroller and former mayoral candidate, joins Bloomberg to discuss the pivotal NYC mayoral race. Lander, who endorsed Zoran Mamdani during the primary, offers his insights on fears surrounding Mamdani's candidacy, the city’s fiscal future, policy priorities (like affordable housing and childcare), public safety, and the divisive nature of the campaign. The conversation also touches on Lander’s own political plans and broader themes about the city’s direction and its leadership.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Addressing Business Community Concerns Over Mamdani

• Wall Street and Real Estate Fears
  • Fears have been voiced that Mamdani may be bad for the city's finances or business climate.
  • Lander’s Response:
    • Lander asserts confidence in Mamdani's vision, emphasizing a hopeful, forward-looking agenda versus Cuomo's “sour, dark, backward looking, everything is terrible campaign.”
    • He argues that NYC’s attraction is rooted in its creative, diverse energy and that a focus on affordability will ultimately benefit the business community.
    • Memorable Quote:
      • “He’s going to put a solid team together. I think business leaders will end up thinking, I don’t remember what it was we were so worried about.” (00:47)

2. Balancing Policy and Fiscal Responsibility

• How to Fund Ambitious Social Programs
  • The discussion highlights concerns over costs (affordable housing, free busing, etc.) and maintaining a pro-business policy environment.
  • Lander’s Example:
    • Childcare is cited as a unifying agenda item between the city and state government (Governor Hochul and Mayor Zoran). Funding higher quality care, Lander argues, produces tangible returns in workforce productivity and retention even if it requires increased spending.
    • Memorable Quote:
      • “If you see what you’re getting is that your employees have a safe, high quality place for their two and three year olds that shows up in business productivity very quickly.” (01:34)

3. Public Safety and Police Leadership

• Endorsement of Police Commissioner
  • The topic of keeping Jessica Tisch on as police commissioner arises.
  • Lander’s View:
    • Strongly supports keeping Tisch, noting he was the first candidate to say he would do so and is pleased Mamdani also supports her.
    • Quote:
      • “I said in the, during the primary I was the first candidate to say I would ask Jesse Tisch to stay on board. And I’m delighted that Saran has said it as well.” (02:27)

4. What if Mamdani Wins With Only a Plurality?

• Potential for Division or Unity
  • Lander stresses the necessity of post-election unity, especially given the “vitriol” and “fear mongering” he attributes to Cuomo’s campaign.
  • Advocates for bridging divides, maintaining safety, and focusing on shared challenges (notably referencing Donald Trump as a unifying external threat to NYC).
  • Memorable Line:
    • “Let’s heal some of the things that were broken. Donald Trump is coming for us and we got to all respond together.” (02:51)

5. Building Mamdani’s Team

• Leadership and Recruitment
  • Lander predicts Mamdani will assemble an “energetic,” “excited” team with a hopeful vision and emphasizes that a positive work environment is key for attracting talent.
  • Contrasts Mamdani with Cuomo, whom he refers to as “an abusive boss.”
  • Quote:
    • “The people that are going to want to work for Zoran are energetic, are excited about it, have hope in the future of the city. No one wants to work for Andrew Cuomo.” (03:58)

6. Cooperation From Power Brokers (Business, Police, etc.)

• Possibility for Collaboration
  • Lander is optimistic, underscoring the shared love New Yorkers have for their city and the universal appeal of policies that enhance affordability and inclusivity.
  • Quote:
    • “I just, I really do hope even folks who don’t vote for Zoran tomorrow will say, how can we work together to actually make it work?” (04:32)

7. Brad Lander’s Political Future

• Congressional Run?
  • Asked about potential plans to run for Congress in the 10th district, Lander deflects, saying his current focus is on the mayoral race and passing affordable housing ballot initiatives.
  • Quote:
    • "So for today I’m really focused on helping Zoran win tomorrow, on making sure these affordable housing housing ballot propositions passed tomorrow, which people aren’t talking about, but are a big deal for building more housing." (05:04)

8. Final Campaign Sprint

• Personal Campaign Focus
  • Lander outlines his high-energy, hands-on campaigning in support of both Mamdani and pro-housing ballot measures, emphasizing voter turnout and direct voter outreach at polls.
  • Quote:
    • “We started today at 6am with Zoran and a crew of us walking across the Brooklyn Bridge... I’ll be out at poll side saying, hey, here’s an opportunity for you to vote for more affordable housing to get built.” (05:26)

9. Analysis of the Race and Why Lander Lost

• Progressivism and Voter Sentiment
  • Lander candidly reflects on his own campaign’s failure, citing Adams’ corruption and Cuomo’s negative tone, while praising Mamdani’s inspiring, hopeful message as what resonated with voters.
  • Notable Quotes:
    • “Adams sold our city out, first to Turkey and then to Trump. And people are tired of corruption.”
      (06:15)
    • “Zoran ran a campaign that inspired and excited people, that focused on affordability, that offers something new and hopeful in a dark time.” (06:15)

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Memorable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

• On Mamdani’s potential to surprise business critics:

  • “I think business leaders will end up thinking, I don’t remember what it was we were so worried about.” — Brad Lander (00:47)

• On childcare as sound fiscal policy:

  • “If you see what you’re getting is that your employees have a safe, high quality place for their two and three year olds, that shows up in business productivity very quickly.” — Brad Lander (01:34)

• On keeping Police Commissioner Tisch:

  • “I was the first candidate to say I would ask Jesse Tisch to stay on board. And I’m delighted that Saran has said it as well.” — Brad Lander (02:27)

• Calling for post-election healing:

  • “Let’s heal some of the things that were broken. Donald Trump is coming for us and we got to all respond together.” — Brad Lander (02:51)

• On Mamdani’s appeal vs. Cuomo’s leadership style:

  • “No one wants to work for Andrew Cuomo. So this idea that it would be better to have him, I mean, he’s an abusive boss, whereas Zoran is going to set the table in a way that says, hey, we get to write the next chapter...” — Brad Lander (03:58)

• On the optimism and unity Lander hopes New Yorkers will embrace:

  • “Everyone benefits from a more affordable, from a safer, from a more inclusive city.” — Brad Lander (04:32)

• Reflecting on why his campaign fizzled:

  • “I ran the campaign, maybe you could say of the guy that does the homework. And that wasn’t what voters were excited by. Zoran ran a campaign that inspired and excited people, that focused on affordability, that offers something new and hopeful in a dark time.” — Brad Lander (06:15)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:22 – Introduction, Lander’s endorsement of Mamdani
• 00:34 – Concerns from business community about Mamdani
• 01:17 – Balancing progressive initiatives with economic realities
• 02:07 – Public safety, Jessie Tisch’s future
• 02:36 – Scenario planning: Mamdani wins with plurality
• 03:28 – Mamdani’s team composition and Lander’s perspective
• 04:25 – Prospects for unity and cooperation post-election
• 04:56 – Lander on his future political plans
• 05:20 – Lander’s campaign strategy for final hours
• 05:54 – Litmus test for progressivism and reflection on the campaign

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Tone & Style

The conversation is candid, hopeful, and direct, blending policy analysis with Lander’s personal experience and perspective. Lander maintains a pragmatic optimism, and the hosts ask pointed, thoughtful questions, keeping the focus on what the election means for New York's near future.

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This summary captures the episode’s essential arguments, political context, and the key personalities and policy debates shaping New York City’s mayoral race.

Transcript

[Brad Lander]

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[Brad Lander]

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[Interviewer 1]

News Joining us right now is Brad Lander. He's New York City's comptroller and former mayoral candidate who actually cross endorsed Mandani during the primary election. Great to have you here, Brad.

[Brad Lander]

Great to be here.

[Interviewer 1]

I'll get right to the brass tacks here. I mean, when we talk about some of the fears in this city about Mamdani, we've heard it from Wall street, we've heard it from the real estate investors, we've heard it from the business community. Will he actually be good for this city's finances?

[Brad Lander]

I think he's going to be great for the sense of the city having a diverse, creative energy and looking forward. Andrew Cuomo has run this sour, dark, backward looking, everything is terrible campaign. I don't know why anyone would want to start a business in that. But the hopeful one where things get more affordable, where people are still able to come here, I think they will. He's going to put a solid team together. I think business leaders will end up thinking, I don't remember what it was we were so worried about.

[Interviewer 1]

What's the balance, though, between sort of carrying out some of his policies to create affordable housing and free busing and other policies that effectively are going to cost money and at the same time sort of at least support policies that are going to be conducive to people starting businesses, building buildings, etc.

[Brad Lander]

Yeah, well, let's just use Child as an example. So that's the place where Governor Hogle and Mayor Zoran are kind of best united. That's great for businesses. Yes, there has to be a little more money to pay for it. But if you see what you're getting is that your employees have a safe, high quality place for their two and three year olds that shows up in business productivity very quickly. It means your employees feel like they can afford to stay here instead of moving someplace else. You got to show you can deliver it, that it's cost effective, that it's worth the money being paid. But I think that's a win.

[Interviewer 2]

Well, you mentioned safety and actually we sat down with Eugene Rem of Catch Hospitality Group last week. We asked him about the race. He said he really cares about safety at the end of the day and to that point only has said that he would keep Jessica Tisch to Have her stay on as police commissioner if he is elected. Do you think that that's the right choice?

[Brad Lander]

I do. I, you know, I said in the, during the primary I was the first candidate to say I would ask Jesse Tisch to stay on board. And I'm delighted that Saran has said it as well.

[Interviewer 2]

Let's game plan a little bit here. We were talking about potential outcome in the break. So let's say that Zoran Mamdani wins, but only wins with a plurality, doesn't get more than 50% of the vote. What do you think that that means for his agenda going forward?

[Brad Lander]

Look, I do think after the race, by however much he wins, it's critical for New Yorkers to come back together. This race has been so full of vitriol. I mean, Andrew Cuomo, his worst self is a very dark place and we've been seeing more and more of it and he's just stoked, fear mongering in a way that has people on edge. So what I hope that the mayor elect will bring people back together, say, hey folks, whether you voted for me or didn't vote for me, I'm going to work hard to keep you safe. That vision of childcare is for you and your families. Let's heal some of the things that were broken. Donald Trump is coming for us and we got to all respond together.

[Interviewer 1]

Also to Katie's point though, I mean, we talk about Tish staying on as, as commissioner. There's been a lot of discussion about who Mamdani is going to put around him. There's of course one of the big knocks at Cuomo as Lisa's tried to sort of levy his way is the idea that he doesn't have the experience to manage a city of this size and complexity here. Do you have any sense as to what that team is going to look like?

[Brad Lander]

Well, look, I think people are going to get information on that pretty quickly and what I'll say are you going to be on. I think people will get information on that pretty quickly.

[Interviewer 1]

Okay.

[Brad Lander]

I think a lot better. The people that are going to want to work for Zoran are energetic, are excited about it, have hope in the future of the city. No one wants to work for Andrew Cuomo. So this idea that it would be better to have him, I mean, he's an abusive boss, whereas Iran is going to set the table in a way that says, hey, we get to write the next chapter, focus on affordability, stand up to Trump. I think it's going to be a first rate team.

[Interviewer 1]

Do you Think the city, meaning the people in power in the city are going to cooperate with them, the business leaders, the police unions, etcetera, etcetera.

[Brad Lander]

Look, I mean, it's a city in which people got a lot of opinions and they feel strongly, but they love, we love New York City. And that's a pretty profound feeling. So I just, I really do hope even folks who don't vote for Zara on tomorrow will say, how can we work together to actually make it work? Everyone benefits from a more affordable, from a safer, from a more inclusive city.

[Interviewer 2]

Well, Brad, let's try to get at your future plans through a different way. Are you planning to run for Congress in the 10th district? Are you waiting to see how tomorrow.

[Brad Lander]

So for today I'm really focused on helping Zoran win tomorrow, on making sure these affordable housing housing ballot propositions passed tomorrow, which people aren't talking about, but are a big deal for building more housing. So through tomorrow, when the polls close, I'm going to stay focused on helping make sure those things happen.

[Interviewer 2]

Well, with that in mind, talk us through what the next 24 plus hours look like for you because I have to imagine this is a sprint to the finish.

[Brad Lander]

We started today at 6am with Zoran and a crew of us walking across the Brooklyn Bridge. Polls open at 6am tomorrow. They go till 9pm it's really important that everyone comes out to vote. Most people don't even know about those housing ballot, those pro housing ballots proposition. So I'll be out at poll side saying, hey, here's an opportunity for you to vote for more affordable housing to get built. We'll bring it home all the way till they close at 9pm and then we'll get to be together and celebrate the results.

[Interviewer 1]

I'm going to ask you a very loaded question here, Brad. And this has to do with your campaign and why it didn't succeed. There's been a lot of talk about this sort of being a litmus test for progressivism or whatever the Democratic Party is trying to be here. Why did Zoran bubble up out of nowhere for a lot of people, people like you didn't. Cuomo's behind in the polls and Adams is out of the race.

[Brad Lander]

Yeah, look, well, I mean, Adams sold our city out, first to Turkey and then to Trump. And people are tired of corruption. Cuomo came in with big leadership in name recognition, but ran a sour, backward looking race. I ran the campaign, maybe you could say of the guy that does the homework. And that wasn't what voters were excited by. Zoran ran a campaign that inspired and excited people, that focused on affordability, that offers something new and hopeful in a dark time.

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