U.S. Representative Dan Goldman (D-NY), who lost his reelection bid in the June Democratic primary to progressive former NYC Comptroller Brad Lander, criticized U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) for suggesting that domestic economic concerns (being able to afford gas, food, housing) are what’s pushing New York Democrats to vote for progressives like Lander.
[NOTE: In addition to Lander, Democratic Socialists Claire Valdez and Darializa Avila Chevalier won New York City House districts in the primary. Valdez beat Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, and Avila Chevalier beat Rep. Adriano Espaillat. Both winners were backed by NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic Socialist.]
Goldman replied to Khanna’s comment, and wrote: “This is wrong @RoKhanna. All three of us who lost in NYC had very progressive records (including supporting Medicare for All) and we all had the overwhelming support of actual working families — labor unions, public housing residents and immigrant communities. That’s because we all have gone to battle for those communities and offered practical and meaningful solutions that could actually get passed in a system that requires bipartisanship.”
This is wrong @RoKhanna. All three of us who lost in NYC had very progressive records (including supporting Medicare for All) and we all had the overwhelming support of actual working families — labor unions, public housing residents and immigrant communities. That’s because we… https://t.co/V3ELTIXsaE
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) August 3, 2026
[NOTE: While campaigning, Valdez and Avila Chevalier often criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza and their opponents for being beholden to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), who donated to their opponents’ campaigns. Some political experts assessed that criticism as a difference maker.]
Khanna wrote a long reply to Goldman, which started: “Dan, losing is hard,” and referred to elections he lost (in 2003 and 2014), and the lessons he learned from those losses.
Khanna wrote: “My point is why not reflect on the lesson voters were sending upset about AIPAC, about money going to foreign wars, about food and gas prices up because of Middle East conflicts. You have a long career ahead of you. We need everyone on the playing field. Maybe the loss will make you a voice calling for an end to the occupation or a Palestinian state. You could help make a difference. And what happened to you in not being served coffee was disgusting and wrong and I had called it out on CNN when it happened. I hope you’ll think about what voters were saying and help be part of a new generation that helps bring about a just peace.”
[Note: In June Goldman was publicly banned from Poetica Coffee in Brooklyn and targeted on social media over his pro-Israel views. The Congressman expressed surprise at the reaction, saying that his experience at the coffee shop “couldn’t have been nicer.” On social media, Poetica reportedly said that was because they hadn’t recognized him “sooner,” and that “here at Poetica, we don’t serve racists, fascists, homophobes, genocide enablers, or anyone in between.”]