Fresh off his primary victory over Rep. Dan Goldman, New York Democrat Brad Lander argued Tuesday night that voters are demanding a more aggressive Democratic Party, including a fundamental shift in the party’s approach toward Israel and its relationship with the United States.

Appearing on CNN’s The Source, Lander framed his victory as part of a broader movement within the Democratic Party, saying voters are looking for leaders willing to challenge both President Donald Trump and powerful economic interests.

“want leaders who are going to fight, not just Donald Trump, but the billionaires who are rigging the economy against us. And that’s what I think tonight’s election is about.”

Lander said recent primary results demonstrate growing support for progressive candidates who reject major corporate donors and advocate a more confrontational political style.

“who say we want to see a Democratic Party that’s fighting harder. We shouldn’t be taking corporate PAC money from Wall Street and crypto and AI and AIPAC, we’ve got to fight harder for working families and have people see us fighting for them, and we have to reset the U.S. relationship with Israel.”

Discussing his campaign against Goldman, Lander said voters were looking for change across a range of issues, including campaign financing, healthcare, housing, and U.S. support for Israel.

“a corporate incumbent Democrat to say voters want change on a range of issues, on corporate money, on fighting, on housing, and healthcare, and yes, on not sending any more money for Netanyahu’s wars.”

According to Lander, the divide within the Democratic Party is not primarily ideological but rather comes down to determination and political will.

“fighters and folders.”

CNN host Kaitlan Collins then raised comments made by Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, who has referred to the progressive wing of the party as the “dirtbag left.”

When asked whether Fetterman was wrong, Lander responded with a remark that quickly drew attention.

“I’m not sure if Fetterman is in our party any more, to be honest. Democrats are having primaries to determine what kind of candidates we want to put on the field, and there’ll be a diverse array of candidates because they reflect and represent a diverse array of districts. Primaries are a time to have those fights out, and then, as we head toward the fall, it’s a time of unity. I will try to be a force of unity. I hope Sen. Fetterman will stop attacking other Democrats and decide to rejoin the fold, but if he wants to leave the party, we’ve got a lot of great fighters who can show up and fight for working families.”

After CNN formally projected Lander as the winner, Collins asked what message he believed the election results sent about the Democratic Party.

Lander replied that voters are increasingly rejecting candidates tied to major outside political organizations and want leaders focused on everyday concerns.

“Look, I think it says people want fighters, they want people who reject corporate PAC money from private equity, Wall Street and crypto and AIPAC, it wants people who center the real felt needs of working families and go out and fight and deliver for them, like I’ve been doing for 30 years, protecting tenants and building affordable housing. And I do think it says Democratic voters want to reset the U.S. relationship with Israel, they don’t want a foreign policy that compromises on anyone’s humanity.”

Collins then asked whether positions on Israel were becoming a litmus test within Democratic politics.

Lander suggested the issue remains far from settled but said he believes voters are increasingly pushing the party in a new direction.

“Well, I don’t know that it’s a litmus test. There’s still a majority of Democratic members of Congress who take money from AIPAC, and a majority of Democrats, in the House at least, have continued to vote for military aid. I think it says Democratic voters want to see that change.”

The conversation then turned to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and his criticism of AIPAC during the campaign.

Asked whether he agreed with Mamdani’s characterization of the pro-Israel organization, Lander broadened his criticism to include other large political action committees that operate with substantial financial influence.

“Look, there are voters who have a lot of concerns with AIPAC and the way, but it’s — that’s true of other super PACs as well, that spend money in dark ways, that don’t even talk clearly about the issues that they’re focused on. So, it was an important part of my campaign. At the same time, like, I’m a proud Jewish New Yorker. Antisemitism is surging. It is important for us to be clear that the Democratic Party is not going to compromise on anyone’s human rights, not Palestinians in Gaza, and not Jews in New York City or the United States of America, like, that’s not two separate jobs. That’s the same job.”

{Matzav.com}