Impeachment Lawyer Daniel Goldman Wins Democratic Primary For New York Congressional Seat

Topline

Former federal prosecutor Daniel Goldman—who served as the lead counsel in the Democrats’ first impeachment proceedings against Donald Trump—claimed a narrow victory in a crowded Democratic primary for a newly carved house seat in New York City on Tuesday, beating out an incumbent congressman and a progressive challenger.

Key Facts

According to the Associated Press, Goldman secured a close victory against several progressive candidates including state lawmaker Yuh-Line Niou and incumbent Rep. Mondaire Jones (D-N.Y.) in New York’s new 10th Congressional District which covers Manhattan’s financial district and part of Brooklyn.

Goldman secured 25.63% of the vote, beating out close contender Niou by two points and Jones by more than seven points.

Jones—who is the first out gay Black members of Congress—had joined the crowded race after giving up his suburban New York seat following the state’s redistricting effort.

Niou did not concede on Tuesday night with some absentee ballots yet to be counted.

Victory in the heavily blue district effectively assures Goldman a victory in November’s election.

Crucial Quote

Speaking to his supporters before the result was called by the Associated Press, Goldman said: “Tonight though is not a victory for myself, or any one person…It is a victory for all of us, all of us who will not let authoritarian forces undermine the foundation of our democracy and the rule of law.”

Surprising Fact

In a bizarre post on his Truth Social platform, Trump appeared to endorse Goldman in the New York primary race, calling him “honorable, fair, and highly intelligent.” Goldman moved to swiftly reject this endorsement and claimed it was an effort by the former president to meddle in the race. In a statement, Goldman’s team said: “This is a pathetic attempt at fooling Democrats who are far smarter than Trump is, and it’s clear that only one candidate in NY-10 is living rent free in Trump’s head. Buckle up Donald. Dan’s coming for you.”

Key Background

Earlier on Tuesday, the Democratic primary for the other newly carved congressional district in Manhattan saw Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) beat ally-turned-rival Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) in a bruising contest. Nadler secured 55.22% of the vote and beat his fellow Congressional democrat by a massive 30-point margin. Both Nadler and Maloney have served in the House together since the 1990s and were forced to go head-to-head after the New York Supreme Court blocked a congressional map drawn by Democrats. The top court ruled that the new maps represented partisan gerrymandering and ordered an independent expert to redraw them.

Further Reading

Democratic Allies-Turned-Rivals: Nadler Ousts Maloney In Newly Redrawn N.Y. House District (Forbes)

2 New York Democrats ousted from US House in primary losses (Associated Press)