He is pulling Kamala.
Brad Lander, the Big Apple’s avowed socialist controller, has recanted some of his most radical leftist positions as he prepares to run in a potential special election in New York City, according to critics and his own public comments.
Lander is one of several candidates waiting to see if Mayor Adams steps down Federal indictment for bribery. Unlike most city elections, there will be no primary election, and the ballot will feature a group of candidates vying for the top office.
The comptroller now appears to be hedging his bets after Vice President Harris received 600,000 fewer votes in NYC than President Biden in 2020.
The most notable heel turn has come on taxes. Soaking the rich has been a principle for Lander and his fellow socialists since the days of Lenin. Lander himself has often invoked the mantra that the rich should “Pay their fair share” Throughout his political career.
But during a Citizens Budget Commission hearing in September, Lander threw his own previous proposal To raise personal income taxes on top earners just under.
The comptroller stressed that the idea was only to provide temporary relief to popular programs like universal pre-K that faced funding shortfalls.
On crime and policing, Lander was once a “defund the police” crusader. Whereas in the city council He said, “I’m fighting for a $1 billion cut to the NYPD this year, and I’m committed to not voting on a budget that doesn’t make significant cuts to the NYPD.”
but lander hit a different note In September, at a gathering of the Association for a Better New York, he said that “police are vital to preventing and responding to violence, taking illegal guns off the streets, and solving crimes.”
In its 2009, 2013 and 2017 campaigns, Lander was Oppose For real estate developers and lobbyists. “Not paid for by PACS, corporate lobbyists or developers,” his Municipal Council website Yelled once.
However, the point is no longer mentioned At his campaign donation site. Campaign records show Lander has received approximately $15,000 in contributions from developer interests and lobbyists. It is not clear when he decided to go back on this promise.
Critics said the reshuffle is reminiscent of Vice President Harris’s spectacularly unsuccessful attempt this year to move away from her own woke presidential campaign in 2019.
“If he sees the city or the voters coming to the center, that’s where he’ll go,” said Democratic Queens Councilman Bob Holden. “It’s all about Brad Lander. “This is not about constituents or New Yorkers.”
A City Hall insider said: “Brad Lander can’t get away from voting to defund the NYPD several times over — and being a self-described, dues-paying Democratic socialist.”
Lander’s former colleague, Staten Island Councilman Joe Borelli, was more blunt: “Kathy Hochul is really turning everyone into Republicans.”
Lander campaign spokeswoman Rebecca Rodriguez called her boss “pragmatic.”
“New Yorkers are fed up with a city that isn’t working for them and Brad knows that to change things, we need strong leadership at City Hall that will make our neighborhoods safer, more affordable, more livable and Provide better operations,” Rodriguez said.
(TagstoTranslate)Politics(T)US News(T)Brad Lander(T)Comptroller(T)NYC Mayor Election(T)Socialism
