By: Fern Sidman

As New York City’s 2025 mayoral race gains momentum, City Comptroller Brad Lander finds himself under increasing scrutiny for his campaign’s financial ties to controversial billionaire donor George Soros — a connection that highlights concerns about the ideological forces quietly shaping the city’s political future. According to campaign finance records reported by The New York Post on Saturday, Soros personally contributed $2,100 to Lander’s campaign in June, making Lander the only mayoral contender so far to receive a direct donation from the progressive megadonor.

The contribution has reignited debates over Lander’s political positioning. While the Democratic Socialist-aligned candidate has recently attempted to soften his far-left image by proposing increased police hiring and a crackdown on gun violence, critics argue that his campaign financing tells a different story — one of deep entrenchment in radical activist networks that remain sharply anti-Israel and soft on public safety.

“Lander is perfect for the Soros gang,” veteran political strategist Hank Sheinkopf told The New York Post. “He was a public supporter of boycott, divestment, sanctions [BDS] of Israel, and has been a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.” For critics, Soros’ endorsement isn’t incidental — it’s a reflection of Lander’s ideological lineage, regardless of recent rhetorical shifts.

Despite this, Lander’s team has sought to distance the candidate from the radical left, perhaps aware of growing voter unease over rising anti-Semitism, soaring crime rates, and the political instability associated with activist-driven governance. Still, Sheinkopf pointedly noted to The New York Post that Lander’s pivot may be more cosmetic than genuine: “He’ll have to go back to being who he really is in order to get the money to become mayor.”

Indeed, Soros’ financial support of Lander is not a new development. During Lander’s 2021 comptroller campaign, Soros contributed $5,000 — though $2,000 of that was eventually returned. His sons, Alexander and Jonathan Soros, and daughter-in-law Jennifer also contributed during that campaign cycle. According to the information provided in The New York Post report, Jonathan and Jennifer Soros have also donated to other progressive mayoral hopefuls this cycle, including state Rep. Zellnor Myrie and state Sen. Jessica Ramos.

What has sparked particular outrage is the ideological overlap between Lander’s donor base and the surge of anti-Israel activism nationwide. As The New York Post reported, Soros and his network of left-wing nonprofits have played a central role in funding radical protests at college campuses in the wake of Hamas’ October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel. These protests — often hostile to Jewish students and pro-Israel voices — mirror the anti-Israel sentiments associated with parts of Lander’s political past.

Compounding these concerns are allegations that Lander himself influenced the divestment of city pension funds from Israeli bonds, a move widely criticized as a political maneuver rooted in anti-Israel bias. While Lander’s campaign has denied the charges, the optics have not been lost on voters — especially given his previous acceptance of a donation from Columbia University professor Katherine Franke, a known critic of Israel and pro-BDS advocate, The New York Post reported. Campaign finance records confirm that the donation has not been returned.

Soros’ political machine — most notably through his Open Society Foundations — has also come under fire for backing progressive district attorneys such as Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg, whose tenure has been marked by controversial bail reforms and leniency toward repeat offenders. As the report in The New York Post emphasized, key figures from Soros’ network reportedly had unfettered access to the Biden White House, further fueling concerns about the donor’s influence on public policy and political gatekeeping.

Despite his left-wing record and controversial alliances, Lander’s mayoral bid appears competitive. A recent poll cited by The New York Post shows him polling at 31% in the Democratic primary, trailing only former Governor Andrew Cuomo and ahead of Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani — another candidate backed by Democratic Socialists. With a formidable campaign war chest of approximately $6.7 million, Lander currently leads all mayoral contenders in fundraising.

But the optics of his donor base have become a focal point for critics. “Brad Lander will take money from special interests like George Soros while pretending to be a grassroots candidate — he’s a phony who’s always been bought and paid for,” Queens Councilman Robert Holden told The New York Post.

Neither Lander nor Soros has responded to inquiries about the donation, leaving lingering questions about whether Lander’s campaign truly represents a new direction — or simply a rebranded version of his long-standing ideological affiliations.

As the race intensifies, Lander’s alignment with figures such as Soros may prove to be a double-edged sword — energizing activist networks, but alienating moderates concerned with rising anti-Semitism, public safety, and the encroachment of extreme politics into city governance.