Daniel Sachs Goldman (born February 26, 1976)[1][2] is an American attorney, politician, and heir; he is a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 10th congressional district. A politically progressive[3][4] member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the lead majority counsel in the first impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump and lead counsel to House Managers in Trump's impeachment trial which was also in 2019.[5][6] Goldman is among the wealthiest members of Congress, with an estimated personal net worth of up to $253 million according to financial disclosure forms.[7]

Dan Goldman
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 10th district
Assumed office
January 3, 2023
Preceded byJerry Nadler (redistricting)
Personal details
Born
Daniel Sachs Goldman

(1976-02-26) February 26, 1976 (age 48)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)
(m. 2002; div. 2008)

Corinne Levy
(m. 2013)
Children5
RelativesRhoda Haas Goldman (grandmother)
Richard Goldman (grandfather)
Walter A. Haas (great-grandfather)
EducationYale University (BA)
Stanford University (JD)
Signature
WebsiteHouse website

Early life and family

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Goldman was born in Washington, D. C., to Susan (née Sachs) and Richard W. Goldman.[8] His father was a federal prosecutor in Washington, D. C., who died when Goldman was a child.[8] His paternal grandparents were Rhoda Haas Goldman and Richard Goldman;[8] his great-grandfather was Walter A. Haas, president of Levi Strauss & Co. His great-great-grandfather was Abraham Haas, the founder of the Smart & Final chain of food stores. He grew up in a Conservative Jewish family[9] with his younger brother Bill Goldman, who died at age 38 in a plane crash in Sonoma, California,[10] as well as his sister Alice Reiter.[11] Daniel is an heir to the Levi Strauss & Co. fortune.[7]

Daniel Goldman attended Sidwell Friends School in Washington D.C, where his mother previously served as chair of the board.[8] He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from Yale University in 1998[12] and a Juris Doctor degree with distinction from Stanford Law School in 2005.[8][13] Before law school, he was an Olympics researcher and a writer for NBC Sports.[8]

Early career

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Goldman testifying before the House Judiciary Committee in 2019 regarding articles of impeachment against Donald Trump

After graduating from law school, Goldman clerked for Charles Breyer of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California and Robert D. Sack of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.[14] From 2007 to 2017, Goldman was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Southern District of New York under Preet Bharara.[5][15] He prosecuted Russian organized crime, Genovese crime family mobsters, including Fotios Geas, who murdered Whitey Bulger while in prison, and a variety of white-collar crime and securities fraud.[5] In 2017, Goldman was the lead prosecutor of Billy Walters, a sports bettor who was convicted for insider trading.[5] After leaving the Southern District, Goldman became a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC[16] and a fellow at the Brennan Center for Justice in New York.

Goldman was hired as Senior Advisor and Director of Investigations for the House Intelligence Committee in February 2019 and later became the lead counsel for the first impeachment inquiry against Donald Trump.[5] He questioned witnesses on behalf of the majority during the House Intelligence Committee's public hearings. On December 9, 2019, he provided testimony at the public hearing of the House Judiciary Committee.[17]

On November 16, 2021, Goldman announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for attorney general of New York in the 2022 election.[18] When incumbent Letitia James ended her campaign for governor in December and opted to run for reelection, Goldman withdrew and endorsed James.[19]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Election

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2022

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On June 1, 2022, Goldman announced his candidacy for United States Congress in New York's 10th district.[20] A July 14 poll by Data for Progress indicated Goldman had 12% of support, behind Councilwoman Carlina Rivera's 17% and Assemblywoman Yuh-Line Niou's 14% in the crowded Democratic primary, which also included incumbent congressman Mondaire Jones and former congresswoman Elizabeth Holtzman.[21] An internal poll conducted between July 22 and 26 showed Goldman leading the race with 18% of support, followed by Niou with 16% and Rivera with 14%.[22] Goldman has been endorsed by New York State Assemblymember Robert Carroll[23] and Brian A. Cunningham,[24] former U.S. Representative Steve Israel,[25] former Lieutenant Governor of New York Richard Ravitch[25] and The New York Times.[26] He received a backhanded endorsement from Donald Trump, who called him "very compassionate and compromising to those within the Republican Party", which Goldman's campaign rejected as a "pathetic attempt at fooling Democrats".[27][28]

Goldman raised more than $1.2 million from more than 2,100 individual contributions in the month after he declared his candidacy.[29] He received the maximum allowable campaign contributions from billionaire real estate developers Douglas Durst and Stephen M. Ross.[30] Ross was also a major fundraiser and supporter of Trump.[31] As of August 17, 2022, Goldman had contributed more than $4 million to his own campaign, leading rivals to accuse him of attempting to "purchase this congressional seat".[32] His campaign hired a Republican campaign consultant who supported Trump in the 2020 presidential election and called Representative Maxine Waters "retarded" over her support for Trump's impeachment to perform voter outreach to Orthodox Jewish voters in Borough Park, Brooklyn.[33] Goldman's campaign immediately fired the consultant and clarified that they were "unaware of these grossly offensive remarks" when City & State contacted them for comment.[33]

Goldman's financial disclosures indicate he has a line of credit from Goldman Sachs worth up to $50 million in addition to investments in weapons manufacturer Sturm, Ruger & Co., defense contractors Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, oil companies Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Halliburton, and Rupert Murdoch's Fox Corporation & News Corp.[34] Goldman's campaign said he will put his assets into a blind trust if elected and that he is no longer invested in Sturm, Ruger & Co.[35] He narrowly won the Democratic nomination in the crowded primary, receiving 16,686 votes (25.8%).[36] He won the general election against Republican nominee Benine Hamdan with 83.9% of the vote.[36]

Tenure

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On January 10, 2023, Goldman and Representative Ritchie Torres delivered an ethics complaint to the office of Representative George Santos, who is embattled by revelations that he lied about most of his résumé and background.[37] Goldman has introduced seven bills in his first year in Congress: the Early Voting Act, the African Burial Ground International Memorial Museum and Educational Center Act, the Strengthening Medicaid for Serious Mental Illness Act, the Immigration Court Efficiency and Children's Court Act of 2023, the Disarming Cartels Act, the Codifying SAVE Plan Act, and the GRADUATE Act.[38]

Goldman is a member of the Vote Blue Coalition, a progressive group and federal PAC created to support Democrats in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania through voter outreach and mobilization efforts.[39]

Committee assignments

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Caucus memberships

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Political positions

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Democracy

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Goldman accused the 45th US president Donald Trump of "inflammatory rhetoric", and stated that Trump is "destructive to democracy" and "has to be eliminated”. After Goldman's inflammatory call for the elimination of Trump caused a backlash from conservatives, he clarified that the word "eliminate" was a wrong term to describe what Goldman wants to be done to Trump: "“Yesterday on TV, I mistakenly used the wrong word to express the importance for America that Donald Trump doesn’t become President again”. [42]

Abortion

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Goldman has said he believes abortion is a health-care decision that "should be made between an individual and their doctor".[43] He drew significant backlash and criticism when he revealed support for abortion restrictions, and said he would not object to a state law barring abortion after a fetus is considered viable.[44] He clarified in the same interview that his personal views on abortion are secondary to the right of a woman to choose.[44]

In June 2023, Goldman and Congresswoman Judy Chu led more than 50 lawmakers in pressing Walmart, Costco, Kroger, and other major American pharmacies to sell the abortion pill, mifepristone.[45] In July, Goldman called the Dobbs decision "one of the very worst opinions that the Supreme Court has ever issued on both a legal and factual basis".[46]

Economic issues

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Goldman supports increasing the national minimum wage, universal child care, and paid family leave.[47] He supports promoting business development, and requiring corporations to pay their fair share to "increase opportunity for all Americans".[47]

Goldman was one of the 46 Democrats who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[48]

Environment

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Goldman said in his 2022 campaign that he supports the principles and goals of a Green New Deal to transition to clean energy and has called climate change an "existential threat". He supports public–private partnerships to incentivize private companies to invest in renewable energy.[49]

Foreign policy

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Israel

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Goldman supports the two-state solution.[50] He opposes the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement, calling it a "thinly-veiled demonstration of antisemitism."[50] He voted to support Israel following the 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[51][52] In 2024, he signed an open-letter expressing "disgust" at South Africa's case at the International Court of Justice charging Israel with operating with intent to commit genocide in Gaza.[53]

Russian invasion of Ukraine

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Goldman believes Russia's invasion of Ukraine threatens Ukraine's sovereignty, international order, and democracy globally. He is in favor of U.S. aid to Ukraine and sanctions on Russia.[54]

Syria

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In 2023, Goldman voted against H.Con.Res. 21, which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[55][56]

Taiwan

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Goldman supports democracy in Taiwan, but opposed Speaker Nancy Pelosi's August 2022 visit to Taiwan and concurred with the Biden Administration's assessment of the risks, citing intelligence and diplomatic concerns.[57]

Healthcare

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Goldman believes healthcare is a fundamental right and supports a public option and private health insurance.[58] He is one of over 100 cosponsors of Medicare for All.[59]

Housing

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Goldman supports "public–private partnerships" to combat New York City's lack of affordable housing. He supports construction by private real estate developers, fully funding NYCHA, and allocating federal dollars for private firms to update and manage properties NYCHA owns.[60]

Judiciary

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Goldman opposes expanding the Supreme Court of the United States and said it is "antidemocratic" during a candidate forum.[61] He expressed support for implementing term limits on Supreme Court Justices in an interview with New York Magazine.[62]

LGBTQ equality

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Goldman supports passing the Equality Act to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation and gender identity.[63] He said he had never marched in an LGBTQ Pride parade until 2022, saying his work as a federal prosecutor prevented him from doing so, in response to a questionnaire from the Jim Owles Liberal Democratic Club.[64] He drew criticisms and accusations of using the LGBTQ community as a "political football" when it was revealed his explanation contradicted the guidelines and restrictions issued by the Department of Justice, which states employees may "attend political rallies and meetings."[64] In fact, the Department of Justice has its own employee-run "DOJ Pride."[64]

Electoral history

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2022

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2022 New York's 10th congressional district Democratic primary
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dan Goldman 16,686 25.8
Democratic Yuh-Line Niou 15,380 23.7
Democratic Mondaire Jones (incumbent)[a] 11,777 18.2
Democratic Carlina Rivera 10,985 17.0
Democratic Jo Anne Simon 3,991 6.2
Democratic Elizabeth Holtzman 2,845 4.4
Democratic Jimmy Li 777 1.2
Democratic Yan Xiong 686 1.1
Democratic Maud Maron 578 0.9
Democratic Bill de Blasio (withdrawn) 477 0.7
Democratic Brian Robinson 322 0.5
Democratic Peter Gleason 147 0.2
Democratic Quanda Francis 121 0.2
Total votes 64,772 100.0
2022 New York's 10th congressional district general election
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dan Goldman 160,582 83.4
Republican Benine Hamdan 26,711 13.8
Conservative Benine Hamdan 2,347 1.2
Total Benine Hamdan 29,058 15.1
Medical Freedom Party Steve Speer 1,447 0.7
Write-in 1,260 0.6
Total votes 192,347 100.0

Personal life

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Goldman has married twice. In 2002, he married Olympic diver and lawyer Anne Montminy; she is from Montreal.[1] They divorced in 2008,[better source needed] after having two children.[8] In 2013, he married Corinne Levy; they have three children.[8]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Due to redistricting, Mondaire Jones decided to move to NY-10, which is not connected by territory to his home district of NY-17.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Weddings; Anne Montminy, Daniel Goldman". The New York Times. June 23, 2002.
  2. ^ United States Public Records, 1970-2009 (New York, 2008)
  3. ^ "Caucus Members".
  4. ^ https://progressives.house.gov/ [bare URL]
  5. ^ a b c d e Barrett, Devlin (November 12, 2019). "Democrats' impeachment lawyer cut his teeth prosecuting mobsters, Wall Street cheats". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 13, 2019. Cucinella said she requested Goldman to be on the trial team "because he has a bit of a swagger as a trial lawyer, and it's a confidence that serves him well. In a courtroom, he's incredibly effective."
  6. ^ Rogers, Alex (November 13, 2019). "Staff lawyers to take star role in first hearings on impeachment". CNN. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  7. ^ a b Nahmias, Laura (July 30, 2022). "Levi Strauss Heir Would Join Congress's Richest With NYC Win". Bloomberg. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h "Daniel Goldman: 5 Fast Facts You Need to Know". Heavy.com. November 2019.
  9. ^ Henry, Jacob (August 16, 2022). "NY-10 frontrunner Dan Goldman talks Jewish identity, Israel, and his financial record". New York Jewish Week. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "Bill Goldman, 38, historian, philanthropist and Levi Strauss heir, killed in plane crash". Jewish Telegraph Agency. July 14, 2017.
  11. ^ "Life Cycle: Milestones" (PDF). Chronicle. 74 (4): 10. September 2011. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 1, 2023.
  12. ^ Yale University: Two Hundred Ninety-seventh Commencement (.pdf download). New Haven, Connecticut: Yale University. May 25, 1998. p. 12 – via Southern Connecticut University: Mayor John DeStefano Jr. Papers Binder: May 1998.
  13. ^ Honors, Prizes, and Awards to the Class of 2005 (PDF). Stanford, CA: Stanford Law School. 2005. p. 5.
  14. ^ Zimmerman, Sacha. "Honest Broker". Sidwell Friends.
  15. ^ "Daniel S. Goldman". The Daily Beast. November 2018. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  16. ^ Madhani, Aamer (November 13, 2019). "Impeachment Hearing Attorneys Daniel Goldman, Steve Castor May Become Household Names". NBC 4 Washington.
  17. ^ Beauchamp, Zack (December 9, 2019). "The Trump-Ukraine scandal, explained in one minute". Vox. Retrieved December 9, 2019.
  18. ^ Gartland, Michael (November 16, 2021). "Dan Goldman, lead counsel in Trump impeachment, to run for New York attorney general". nydailynews.com. Retrieved November 16, 2021.
  19. ^ Crockett, Corey (December 10, 2021). "Impeachment attorney Goldman exits AG race after incumbent James announces run". Pix11.com. New York, NY. Associated Press.
  20. ^ Gartland, Michael (June 1, 2022). "Dan Goldman, former lead counsel in Trump impeachment, to announce run for New York's 10th Congressional District". New York, NY. New York Daily News. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  21. ^ Coltin, Jeff (July 14, 2022). "Dan Goldman, former lead counsel in Trump impeachment, to announce run for New York's 10th Congressional District". New York, NY. City & State New York. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  22. ^ Coltin, Jeff (August 4, 2022). "Dan Goldman leads internal poll for 10th Congressional District, with Yuh-Line Niou and Carlina Rivera close behind". New York, NY. City & State New York. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  23. ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (July 7, 2022). "Brooklyn Assemblymember Robert Carroll backs Dan Goldman in NY10 race". PoliticsNY. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  24. ^ Kornbluh, Jacob (August 5, 2022). "Lawmaker who withdrew endorsement from pro-BDS candidate backs Jewish contender for Brooklyn seat". Forward. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  25. ^ a b Stark-Goldiner, Dave (July 20, 2022). "Dan Goldman wins endorsements of ex-Rep. Steve Israel and Richard Ravitch in New York's 10th Congressional District primary". NY Daily News. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  26. ^ "The Times Endorses Jerrold Nadler, Sean Maloney and Dan Goldman in New York's Democratic Primary Races for Congress". The New York Times. August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  27. ^ Coltin, Jeff (August 18, 2022). "Donald Trump 'endorses' Dan Goldman and Carolyn Maloney in sarcastic messages". City & State. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  28. ^ Sheinerman, Marie-Rose (August 18, 2022). "Trump Roils N.Y. Democrats' Race, Backing Pro-Impeachment Lawyer". Bloomberg. Retrieved September 9, 2022.
  29. ^ Coltin, Jeff. "Dan Goldman raises $1.2 million in a month for open NY-10 race". City and State NY.
  30. ^ Kim, Elizabeth (July 19, 2022). "NYC real estate industry exerts influence in high-profile congressional race". Gothamist. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  31. ^ Kelly, Griffin (July 23, 2022). "Dan Goldman takes campaign cash from Donald Trump backer Stephen Ross". New York Post. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  32. ^ Marans, Daniel (August 16, 2022). "Progressives Are Starting To Freak Out About Dan Goldman In New York's 10th District". HuffPost. Retrieved August 17, 2022.
  33. ^ a b Coltin, Jeff (August 2, 2022). "Dan Goldman fired voter outreach consultant for offensive tweets after being contacted by City & State". City & State NY. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  34. ^ Gartland, Michael (August 9, 2022). "NY-10 Democratic candidates Carlina Rivera and Dan Goldman spar over investments in defense contractors and gun companies". NY Daily News. New York, NY. Retrieved August 9, 2022.
  35. ^ Rubinstein, Dana (August 5, 2022). "In a House Race With Big Names, 2 Women With Local Ties Rise". The New York Times. New York Times. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  36. ^ a b Rubinstein, Dana (August 24, 2022). "Daniel Goldman, Ex-Trump Prosecutor, Tops Crowded Field in N.Y. Primary". The New York Times. New York, NY. Retrieved September 7, 2022.
  37. ^ Gold, Michael (January 10, 2023). "N.Y. Lawmakers Request House Ethics Investigation of George Santos". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
  38. ^ Congress.gov https://www.congress.gov/member/daniel-goldman/G000599?q=%7B%22sponsorship%22%3A%22sponsored%22%7D. Retrieved December 8, 2023. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  39. ^ "Coalition". Vote Blue. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
  40. ^ "Caucus Members". Congressional Progressive Caucus. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  41. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Committees and Caucuses". Dan Goldman. January 3, 2023. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  42. ^ Fortinsky, Sarah (November 21, 2023). "House Democrat apologizes after saying Trump 'has to be eliminated'". The Hill. Retrieved September 16, 2024.
  43. ^ Goldman, Daniel (2022). "Protecting Reproductive Rights". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  44. ^ a b Gartland, Michael (July 19, 2022). "N.Y. Democratic congressional candidate Dan Goldman sparks furor over abortion remarks; opponents pounce". New York Daily News.
  45. ^ Kimball, Spencer (June 15, 2023). "House Democrats press Walmart, Costco, Kroger to sell abortion pill mifepristone". CNBC. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  46. ^ Lipsitz, Raina (July 11, 2023). "Rep. Dan Goldman on abortion rights, the debt ceiling deal, and defending democracy". Crain's New York Business. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  47. ^ a b Goldman, Daniel (2022). "Expanding the Middle Class". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  48. ^ Gans, Jared (May 31, 2023). "Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no". The Hill. Retrieved June 6, 2023.
  49. ^ Goldman, Daniel (2022). "Climate Change/Green New Deal". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  50. ^ a b Goldman, Daniel (2022). "Israel". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  51. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (October 25, 2023). "House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  52. ^ "Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session". Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2023.
  53. ^ Thakker, Prem (February 2024). "Rep. Dan Goldman's "Disgust" At South Africa's Genocide Case Is Costing Him Votes". The Intercept. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  54. ^ Goldman, Daniel (2022). "Ukraine and the threat from Russia". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  55. ^ "H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … -- House Vote #136 -- Mar 8, 2023".
  56. ^ "House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria". US News & World Report. March 8, 2023. Retrieved April 6, 2023.
  57. ^ Stark-Miller, Ethan (2022). "NY10 candidates weigh in on Pelosi's controversial Taiwan trip". PoliticsNY. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
  58. ^ Goldman, Daniel (2022). "Healthcare". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  59. ^ "H.R.3421 - Medicare for All Act". United States Congress. Retrieved December 8, 2023.
  60. ^ Goldman, Daniel (2022). "Affordable Housing". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  61. ^ Allen, Dashiell (August 12, 2022). "Dan Goldman, Liz Holtzman questioned on Supreme Court stance at 10th Congressional District forum". New York, NY. The Village Sun. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  62. ^ Prater, Nia (August 10, 2022). "Dan Goldman on the Problem With Trump, Republicans, and Members of His Own Party". New York, NY. New York Magazine. Retrieved August 25, 2022.
  63. ^ Goldman, Daniel (2022). "LGBTQIA+ Rights". Dan Goldman for New York (campaign website). Archived from the original on August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  64. ^ a b c Gartland, Michael (August 2, 2022). "Dan Goldman, Democratic candidate for NY-10, says DOJ rules prevented him from marching in Pride; LGBTQ group asks: 'Where was he in college?'". New York, NY. New York Daily News. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from New York's 10th congressional district

2023–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
377th
Succeeded by