History of Brad Lander in Timeline

Brad Lander is an American politician, urban planner, and community organizer currently serving as the New York City Comptroller. He identifies as a progressive Democrat. In his role as Comptroller, he is responsible for overseeing the city's finances, auditing city agencies, and managing the city's pension funds. Before becoming Comptroller, Lander served as a New York City Council Member representing the 39th district in Brooklyn. He is known for his progressive policy stances and advocacy on issues such as affordable housing, transportation, and environmental sustainability.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

July 8, 1969: Bradford S. Lander Born

On July 8, 1969, Bradford S. Lander was born. He later became an American politician, urban planner, and community organizer, and currently serves as the New York City Comptroller.

Others born on this day/year

1987: Graduated from Parkway North High School

In 1987, Brad Lander graduated from Parkway North High School, located in the Creve Coeur suburb of St. Louis.

1987: Joined Democratic Socialists of America

In 1987, while a student at the University of Chicago, Brad Lander joined the Democratic Socialists of America.

1991: Earned bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago

In 1991, Lander earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago, where he was also a recipient of the Harry S. Truman Scholarship.

1993: Executive Director of Fifth Avenue Committee

In 1993, Lander became the executive director of the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), a Park Slope not-for-profit focused on affordable housing.

2000: Received New York Magazine Civics Award

In 2000, Brad Lander received the New York Magazine Civics Award for his work as executive director of the Fifth Avenue Committee.

2002: Fifth Avenue Committee received award

In 2002, the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), where Lander served as executive director, received the Leadership for a Changing World award.

2003: End of tenure at Fifth Avenue Committee

In 2003, Brad Lander concluded his tenure as the executive director of the Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), where he had worked since 1993.

2003: Director of Pratt Center for Community Development

In 2003, Lander became a director of the Pratt Center for Community Development, a university-based organization. He served in this position until 2009.

2005: Greenpoint-Williamsburg Rezoning

Lander's work in 2003-2005 on Greenpoint-Williamsburg rezoning led to the first New York City inclusionary housing program to create affordable housing in new development outside Manhattan.

September 15, 2009: Won Democratic primary for City Council

On September 15, 2009, Lander won a contested Democratic primary with 41% of the vote in a field of five candidates, securing his place in the general election for New York City Council.

November 4, 2009: Elected to New York City Council

On November 4, 2009, Brad Lander was elected to New York City Council on the Democratic Party and Working Families Party lines, receiving 70% of the vote.

2009: Stepped down as head of Pratt Center

In 2009, Brad Lander stepped down as head of the Pratt Center for Community Development to pursue a seat on the New York City Council.

2009: Elected to City Council

In 2009, Lander was first elected to the City Council, later becoming the Deputy Leader for Policy, representing portions of Brooklyn.

2013: Played Key Role in Passing Paid Sick Leave

In 2013, Lander played a key role in the campaign to pass paid sick leave legislation, overriding Mayor Bloomberg's veto, and calling it a fairer and more compassionate place to live and work.

2013: Re-elected to City Council

In 2013, Lander was re-elected on the Democratic and Working Families Parties' lines to serve a second term on the City Council.

March 2015: Arrested at Car Wash Strike

In March 2015, Lander was arrested for blocking traffic in Park Slope to support striking car washers; it was his fourth arrest.

May 2016: Controversy over Remarks about Yungman Lee Supporters

In May 2016, Lander faced criticism for calling supporters of Yungman Lee "scumbags", a challenger of Representative Nydia Velázquez. Asian community groups protested and demanded an apology, which Lander refused to give.

November 2016: Intention to be arrested during Fight for $15

In November 2016, Lander announced his intention to get arrested as part of the Fight for $15 National Day of Action, viewing it as part of a long tradition of civil disobedience.

July 2017: Primary Sponsor of 20 Local Laws

As of July 2017, Lander was the primary sponsor of 20 local laws enacted by the City Council and signed by the Mayor.

December 2017: Arrested Protesting Tax Bill

In December 2017, Lander was arrested inside the United States Capitol while protesting a bill that decreased taxes on corporations and wealthy people while cutting healthcare.

2017: Legislation for Worker's Rights

In 2017, Lander passed legislation requiring fast food and retail companies to provide stable scheduling and restrict "on call" scheduling. Lander also sponsored a bill to prevent fast food workers from being fired without just cause.

June 2018: Arrested at Protest Outside State Senator's Office

In June 2018, Lander was arrested for blocking traffic, disorderly conduct, and failing to disperse at a protest outside the office of State Senator Martin Golden.

November 2018: Dov Hikind Urged Lander to Speak Out Against Linda Sarsour

In November 2018, New York State Assemblymember Dov Hikind urged Lander to speak out against Lander's friend, pro-Palestinian activist Linda Sarsour, for what Hikind described as her anti-Semitic views.

2018: Living wage for Uber/Lyft Drivers

In 2018, Lander won the first rule in the country to guarantee a living wage for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire drivers.

2019: Admitted to Ethics Violation

In 2019 Lander admitted to an ethics violation for using his official government position to solicit monetary donations for a progressive non-profit he helped to create.

2019: Criticism for Supporting Homeless Shelter Contracts

Starting in 2019, Lander faced criticism for vocally supporting contracts for two homeless shelters. Opponents claimed contracts had up to $89 million of unexplained cost.

March 2020: Urged Suspension of Low-Level Offense Arrests

In March 2020, at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Lander urged the police to suspend criminal arrests, summonses, warrant enforcement, and parole violations for low-level offenses.

April 2020: Sponsored over 2,254 Articles of Legislation

By April 2020, Lander had sponsored over 2,254 articles of legislation. City and State New York ranked Lander's performance in the lower half of NYC lawmakers, ranking him 30th out of the 51 councilmembers.

June 2020: Announced Support for Defunding Police

In June 2020, Lander announced that "It is time to defund the police" and supported cutting their budget by $1 billion.

December 2020: "Comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable"

Lander said in December 2020 that it was a core ideal of his to "comfort the afflicted, and afflict the comfortable."

2020: Traveled to the West Bank

In 2020, Lander stated that he had traveled to the West Bank to get a glimpse of the horrors of life under occupation and the struggle against it.

2020: Advocate for Housing Homeless in Hotels

Starting in 2020, Lander advocated for a program to move homeless people to vacant hotel rooms across New York City during the coronavirus pandemic, aiming for 30,000 people.

January 2021: Supported racial justice and removing Columbus statue

In January 2021, Lander expressed the need to listen to Black people regarding racial injustice and supported removing the statue of Christopher Columbus from Columbus Circle in Manhattan.

2021: Announced Candidacy for City Comptroller

Facing term limits, Lander announced his candidacy for the 2021 New York City Comptroller election. Competitors included Brian Benjamin, Zach Iscol, Kevin Parker, Corey Johnson, and David Weprin.

2021: Elected as City Comptroller

In 2021, Lander was elected as the 45th City Comptroller of New York City. He received endorsements from progressives like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Elizabeth Warren.

January 1, 2022: Assumed Office as City Comptroller

On January 1, 2022, Brad Lander officially assumed the office of the 45th City Comptroller of New York City.

March 2022: Called on Mayor Adams to abandon Medicare program shift

In March 2022, Lander urged Mayor Eric Adams to stop shifting retired municipal workers onto a new Medicare program, and refused to register the contract with Aetna. The courts later ruled the move illegal.

2022: Called for Ending 421a Program

In 2022, Lander called for ending 421a, a tax incentive program for developers and expressed satisfaction when it was not renewed, despite concerns about housing shortages.

July 2024: Announced Mayoral Challenge

In July 2024, Lander announced his intention to challenge incumbent Mayor Eric Adams in the upcoming 2025 New York City mayoral election.

July 30, 2024: Announced Mayoral Run

On July 30, 2024, Brad Lander announced his candidacy for mayor of New York City, challenging the incumbent Eric Adams.

2024: Court Ruled Against Adams Administration on Medicare

In 2024, the New York Court of Appeals unanimously ruled that the Adams administration could not force retirees to switch to the new health plan.

February 17, 2025: Public Letter to Mayor Eric Adams

On February 17, 2025, Brad Lander released a public letter to Mayor Eric Adams, threatening to convene a meeting of the Inability Committee if Mayor Adams does not develop and present a detailed contingency plan outlining how he intends to manage the City of New York.