CNN’s Kaitlan Collins delivered an unexpected on-air moment Tuesday night, breaking into her live interview with congressional candidate Brad Lander to tell him that the network was projecting his victory over incumbent Democrat Dan Goldman in a hard-fought primary.
Lander, the former New York City comptroller, was speaking with Collins as results continued to come in from New York City’s 10th Congressional District, which covers parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn.
‘We came on the air just a couple of minutes ago as the numbers were still coming in,’ Collins told Lander.
She then signaled that the interview was about to take an unusual turn. ‘In your race, I’m gonna do something a little unusual here, so I want you to bear with me… Not many candidates are on CNN when they hear this music.’
Moments later, Collins announced CNN’s projection that Lander would defeat Goldman, the sitting Democratic congressman, in the party’s primary for the district.
‘Sir, obviously, since we have you here live on air, as we are making this call, what is your first reaction to this?’ Collins asked.
The timing appeared to take Lander by surprise, as he absorbed the news in real time during the broadcast.
‘Well, thank you. First of all, obviously I’m thrilled,’ he said. ‘I did not expect to be on air when the race was called.’
Brad Lander was speaking live with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins when the network projected he had defeated Rep. Dan Goldman in New York’s 10th Congressional District primary
Collins then announced that CNN could project Lander had beaten the incumbent congressman 62.8% to 37% in Tuesday’s Democratic primary
Lander said he relished the democratic process and promised to represent the concerns he heard from voters during the campaign.
‘I love election day. I like the voters get to go out and cast their ballots and say, here’s who we want to represent us. These are the fights that matter to us,’ he said.
‘All I can say is I promise to go out every single day and fight for my constituents and the values that they have because we need a country that stands up for working people,’ he said.
‘I’ll be fighting for a city everyone can afford and where everyone is welcome,’ Lander added. ‘And I’m really honored to be on your show tonight.’
Lander and Mamdani had previously faced each other in the 2025 Democratic mayoral primary before cross-endorsing in an effort to prevent former Governor Andrew Cuomo from winning the nomination.
The call was a major defeat for Goldman, who had represented the district since 2022 and was seeking to hold onto a seat covering Lower Manhattan and parts of western Brooklyn.
Lander’s victory was also an emphatic show of strength for New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who backed his fellow progressive in the contest.
Mamdani’s endorsements were closely watched on Tuesday as the mayor sought to push New York’s congressional delegation further left.
Lander’s victory handed New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani a major political win after the mayor backed his congressional campaign
Former New York City Comptroller Brad Lander addresses his supporters during his primary election watch party in New York on Tuesday night
Lander and Mamdani were once rivals in the 2025 mayoral primary, but cross-endorsed one another in a bid to stop Andrew Cuomo. Mamdani returned the favor by backing Lander’s bid
Lander was one of three Mamdani-backed candidates who prevailed in high-profile Democratic primaries.
NBC News called the race less than 10 minutes after polls closed, with Lander quickly building a commanding early lead.
CNN subsequently made its own projection while he was being interviewed by Collins.
Goldman’s position on Israel and the war in Gaza became a major flashpoint during the campaign.
The congressman, who is Jewish, had not endorsed Mamdani during last year’s mayoral contest, citing concerns over antisemitism.
Lander, who is also Jewish, made Goldman’s support for Israel a key dividing line in the race.
Goldman had previously pushed back against accusations from critics who branded him a ‘genocide enabler’ over his backing of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza following Hamas’s October 7 attack.
Democratic Rep Dan Goldman, who is Jewish, declined to endorse Mamdani in last year’s mayoral contest, citing concerns about rising antisemitism
Goldman faced sharp criticism from the left over his support for Israel during the war in Gaza
‘What is going on in the Middle East is horrific. And the idea of accusing someone who you don’t know of supporting a genocide – I mean, it’s crazy,’ Goldman told CNN.
‘Now, I may disagree as to whether or not there’s a genocide, but come on. We’re better than this.’
Goldman was first elected to Congress in 2022 after a career as a federal prosecutor.
He is also an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune and served as lead counsel during Donald Trump’s first impeachment inquiry in 2019.
