Back Button
Branch Politics Logo

Don't waste hours Googling candidates.
Branch has information on all of your candidates, in one place.

Photo of Brad Lander

Brad Lander

DEMOCRAT

Brad Lander is running for New York City Mayor, Democratic Primary.

Personal background

Brad has a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago and master's degrees in anthropology from University College London and in urban planning from the Pratt Institute. Brad is married to Meg Barnette. They live in Brooklyn and have two adult children. He was born in St. Louis, Missouri.

Professional background

Before taking public office, Brad worked as a director for the Pratt Center for Community Development and the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), a non-profit that develops and manages affordable housing.

Political background

Brad Lander is New York City's comptroller. He was elected in 2022 and is currently serving his first term. He previously served as a New York City council member from 2010 to 2021.

Economy

As a city council member, sponsored legislation preventing fast food workers from being fired without just cause.

As a city council member, sponsored legislation to ensure that freelancers and independent contractors are paid on time and in full.

As a city council member, sponsored legislation guaranteeing a minimum wage for Uber, Lyft, and other for-hire drivers.

Read more...

Suggest an edit

Public Services

Plans to upgrade Summer Rising and ensure summer youth employment for all eligible young people.

Hopes to support NYC libraries by expanding hours, building new branches, modernizing infrastructure, and improving worker conditions.

Plans to "reimagine public space as a citywide system that serves all New Yorkers – connecting parks to plazas, schoolyards to streets, and communities to the green infrastructure they deserve."

Read more...

Suggest an edit

Education

As a city council member, led the campaign to secure air-conditioning in all NYC school classrooms.

Plans to achieve universal Pre-K and 3K, a new “2-Care for All” program for 2-year-olds, and free high-quality afterschool programming for K through 8th grade.

Plans to focus on "recruiting, retaining, and empowering educators."

Read more...

Suggest an edit

Transportation & Infrastructure

Supports implementing congestion pricing to reduce traffic and carbon emissions, enhance street safety, and fund improvements for the subway system.

Plans to install turnstiles to prevent fare evasion at 150 subway stations serving 75% of riders.

Plans to recommit to Vision Zero, which aims to achieve no deaths or injuries from traffic accidents, address the increase in truck deliveries and mopeds, and improve curb management.

Suggest an edit

Public Safety

Plans to reduce retail theft by launching a platform to streamline reporting and investigating shoplifters.

Supports providing immigrant New Yorkers with legal services for work authorization, English as a Second Language (ESL), job training, and case management, believing it is a compassionate and cost-effective way to reduce New York City's (NYC) shelter population compared to the Adams Administration’s "cruel shelter limit policies."

Plans to increase the number of officers in the NYPD through strategies like diversified recruitment, better working conditions, and homebuying assistance.

Read more...

Suggest an edit

Housing & Urban Development

Promises to end homelessness for severely mentally ill people through "a housing-first approach and more secure facilities."

Plans to build 500,000 new housing units over the next 10 years and declare a housing crisis state of emergency on the first day of his administration.

Plans to "protect and increase tenant protections, fix thousands of public housing units, and increase pathways to home ownership."

Read more...

Suggest an edit

Public Health

Supports expanding abortion access, providing practical support for out-of-state travelers, improving emergency care, and broadening access to contraception and comprehensive sex education.

Plans to address the city's maternal health crisis by investing in midwife-led care, expanding culturally competent services, and ensuring high-quality care for pregnant Black and Brown women.

Supports improving health care coverage, reducing deductibles and premiums, and protecting individuals with preexisting conditions.

Read more...

Suggest an edit

Ethics & Conduct

Admitted to using his official government position to ask for cash donations for a progressive non-profit he helped to create.

Suggest an edit