Upon launching his campaign Wednesday morning, New York City Comptroller Brad Lander secured an early endorsement from Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in his congressional challenge against Rep. Dan Goldman.

Lander is jumping into the race for New York’s 10th Congressional District after Goldman did not endorse Mamdani’s mayoral campaign earlier this year. Lander played a pivotal role in Mamdani’s Democratic primary upset in June, as the two candidates used ranked-choice voting to cross-endorse each other and consolidate support against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

"Brad’s unwavering principles, deep knowledge, and sincere empathy are what make him a true leader," Mamdani shared in a statement with Fox News Digital. "He has been a trusted ally and partner of mine and I’m proud to support him as I know he’ll continue delivering for those who need government to show up for them the most."

In his Mr. Rogers-style campaign launch video, Lander took a few swipes at Goldman for accepting money from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and criticizing the "oligarchy" who "shouldn't be able to buy a seat in Congress," as Goldman is an heir to the Levi Strauss fortune. His campaign pushed back in a statement to Fox News Digital.

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"Dan is focused on stopping the Trump administration from what they're doing to immigrant families in his district right now. He’s proud of his progressive record in Congress and will deal with Brad and other challengers in the new year," Goldman campaign spokesperson Maddy Rose said.

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Goldman did not endorse Mamdani's mayoral campaign over concerns that he wouldn't do enough to protect Jewish New Yorkers, as he told CBS News New York’s Marcia Kramer.

While Democrats have struggled to land on a cohesive message and identify a clear party leader since losing up and down the ballot in 2024, their commitment to rejecting President Donald Trump's sweeping, second-term agenda has been consistent.

The Democratic Party is seeking to regain congressional control in the upcoming midterm elections in an attempt to thwart Trump's legislative agenda during the last two years of his term. 

While Goldman holds a safe, blue district in New York City, Lander is challenging him from the left on the issues, such as the war in Gaza, riding the progressive wave of Mamdani's mayoral victory earlier this year.

Democrats have railed against Trump's crackdown on illegal immigration, where New York City recently became a flashpoint in resistance to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids.

On Sunday, Mamdani released a video outlining New Yorkers’ rights during ICE encounters following a recent attempted raid in Manhattan.

Notably, Goldman's campaign emphasized the comparably moderate Democrat's commitment to fighting back against the Trump administration, protecting immigrant families and his "progressive record in Congress."

While still a mayoral candidate, Lander was arrested by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents earlier this year for allegedly assaulting a federal officer. The video of Lander's arrest was featured in his campaign launch video.

"When ICE agents started kidnapping our neighbors, I fought back," Lander said before adding, "While our neighbors are being demonized and attacked, we can put our bodies on the line to protect them."

As the outgoing city comptroller, Lander notably did not secure a coveted role in the Mamdani administration.

Lander was a fixture of Mamdani's mayoral campaign. From riding side-by-side on city bikes to delivering opening remarks at campaign rallies, Lander consistently fired up Mamdani's base during their joint appearances.

But without the ties to a role in City Hall, a lane opened for Lander to launch a congressional bid as Mamdani's success propels his campaign forward.

Meanwhile, fellow Mamdani-ally New York City councilmember Chi Ossé forfeited his own congressional primary challenge against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., before it even started.

"Exploring the possibility of this run was important," Ossé said in a statement obtained by Politico. "As committed, I will not be launching this campaign without the support of the DSA, and so the exploration process has concluded."

Without endorsements from Mamdani and the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), Ossé's campaign failed to find its footing after he filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission last month for a congressional campaign.

A nonprofit claims the U.S. Postal Service mishandled its shipment of hundreds of care packages for American service members and is now calling on President Donald Trump to step in.

"I'm really hoping that President Trump can perform a Christmas miracle for us and get these boxes to our troops for Christmas because if we send them U.S. postal mail, they'll never get there," Kristen Gauvin, president of Boxes to Boots, said on "Fox & Friends First" Wednesday.

The organization sends essential packages to deployed troops who can’t be home for the holidays. They include necessary toiletries, snacks and other small comforts meant to lift their spirits.

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But this year, Gauvin says the group has run into a major shipping problem.

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Boxes to Boots mailed its packages in mid-November, yet more than 800 of its 1,100 boxes were unexpectedly returned, with more than 100 missing entirely. USPS flagged the packages for insufficient customs descriptions. 

"We are currently investigating why these packages were returned. When customs forms are incomplete or lack the detail needed to meet export compliance requirements, packages may be returned," USPS said in a statement to "Fox & Friends First."

Gauvin says the organization has never experienced anything like this before and has heard from other groups reporting similar issues. She also noted that roughly 300 identical packages went through without a problem.

"Every single one of these boxes had my name and phone number on the return information… Someone could have [taken] the extra minute to call me and say, ‘Hey, we have a huge problem here. Let me tell you what it is,’" she said.

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Gauvin, who has led Boxes to Boots for several years, said she or volunteers would have driven anywhere necessary to correct the labeling if that was the issue.

"Clearly these boxes are all marked with military addresses. So, I would think people, if anything, would bend over backwards for our troops. This is just disgusting," Gauvin said.

Boxes to Boots is urging federal officials to step in to ensure the packages reach troops before the holidays, specifically calling on President Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth to help. The group warns the boxes could miss the holiday season and arrive in mid-January if the issue is not resolved soon.