Last year, after Comptroller Brad Lander criticized City Hall’s handling of the migrant crisis, Mayor Eric Adams denigrated him as “the loudest person in the city.” It’s only one of many issues they’ve clashed over, from budget cuts to Rikers Island, since the Brooklyn Democrats both ascended to citywide office in 2022. The tension is partially by design: As the city’s chief financial and accountability officer, the comptroller is tasked with auditing the mayoral administration. Lander has done so with zeal, issuing report after report on problems with homeless sweeps, police technology, emergency contracting, and more, causing Adams to at times lash out.
Now, Lander will challenge Adams for mayor in next year’s Democratic primary.