Times Opinion panel picks Brad Lander as top choice in NYC primary

In short: The New York Times Opinion section convened a 15-person panel that ranked Brad Lander as its top pick in the 2026 New York City Democratic mayoral primary.

What happened

Times Opinion, which is the opinion section of The New York Times, brought together a panel of 15 contributors it described as “state experts.” The group reviewed the Democratic candidates for New York City mayor and shared a collective recommendation for voters.

The panel chose Brad Lander, New York City’s comptroller, as its top overall choice for mayor. That stood out because public polls have usually shown former Governor Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani as the leading candidates.

This was not a traditional endorsement from the newspaper’s editorial board. It also was not a poll. A poll tries to measure what a large group of voters thinks, like taking a temperature reading from a crowd. This was closer to a guided group judgment, like a small panel of reviewers ranking products.

Lander welcomed the panel’s decision publicly and said he was proud to have its support. The recommendation also arrives at a key time in the race, as candidates head into a Democratic primary debate.

Why it matters

Even though this panel does not represent voters, it can still affect the race. A high-profile recommendation can shape news coverage, influence donors, and sway undecided voters who trust the panel’s views. It also highlights a growing media habit of using group panels and rankings, instead of a single editorial, to explain how informed observers weigh trade-offs in a crowded election.

Source: NYTimes