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

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.

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)

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)

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

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.

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