Who Is Brad Lander? Age, Biography and Wiki
Brad Lander, an influential American politician, was born on July 8, 1969. As of 2025, he is 55 years old. Lander's political career has seen him play a pivotal role in various community and city initiatives, particularly in New York City, where he has served as a City Council member and fought for progressive reforms.
His political journey began with a focus on social justice and community organizing, which laid the foundation for his later success in local government. A member of the Democratic Party, Lander has consistently championed policies aimed at improving public education, affordable housing, and transportation reforms.
| Occupation | Politician |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | July 8, 1969 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Missouri, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Cancer |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Brad Lander's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Brad Lander stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) and weighs around 160 pounds (72 kg). While specific body measurements are not widely publicized, he maintains a healthy lifestyle that reflects his commitment to public service and community advocacy.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Brad Lander is known to be married to his long-time partner, Laura Lander. The couple has two children, and they maintain a private family life away from the public eye. Lander's commitment to his family is evident in his community-centered approach and his dedication to improving the lives of families in his district. There are currently no reports of any significant changes in his relationship status.
Lander lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Meg Barnette, a former executive at Planned Parenthood, now president of Nonprofit New York. He also served as the Housing Chair of Brooklyn Community Board 6, served on the board of directors of the Jewish Funds for Justice, and is a little league coach in the 78th Precinct Youth Council.
Net Worth and Salary
Brad Lander's net worth is estimated to be around $1 million in 2025. His annual salary as a city council member is approximately $148,500, which contributes significantly to his overall earnings. While Lander has a career primarily rooted in public service, he has also been involved in various public speaking engagements and consulting opportunities that further augment his income.
Lander has crafted a number of workers' rights policies. In 2017, Lander passed legislation to require fast food and retail companies to give their workers stable scheduling and restrict "on call" scheduling and last-minute changes.
Lander also sponsored a successful bill to prevent fast food workers from being fired without just cause and to allow them to appeal terminations through arbitration.
He worked with the Freelancers Union to create the "Freelance Isn't Free Act," the first legislation of its kind to ensure that freelancers and independent contractors are paid on time and in full. In 2018, Lander won the first rule in the country to guarantee a living wage for Uber, Lyft and other for-hire drivers.
By April 2020, Lander had sponsored over 2,254 article of legislation.
City and State New York ranked Lander's performance in the lower half of NYC lawmakers, ranking him 30th out of the 51 councilmembers, on the criteria of the number of bills introduced, the number of bills signed into law, attendance, and responsiveness to questions from constituents and from the media.
Career, Business and Investments
Brad Lander's career has been characterized by a strong commitment to public service and advocacy. Following his tenure in the New York City Council, he has taken on greater responsibilities in local government, aiming to implement policies that align with his progressive values.
His investments have primarily been in community-driven initiatives, including educational programs and affordable housing projects. Lander is known for his strategic approach to political advocacy and has collaborated with various organizations to advance key issues affecting his constituents.
From 2003 to 2009, Lander was a director of the university-based Pratt Center for Community Development. In that position, he was a critic of the Bloomberg administration's development policies. He has also been a critic of the Atlantic Yards project.
Lander's work in 2003–2005 on Greenpoint-Williamsburg rezoning led to the first New York City inclusionary housing program to create affordable housing in new development outside Manhattan.
Lander served on a mayoral taskforce that recommended reforms to the 421-a tax exemption for luxury housing and required that new development in certain areas of the city set aside affordable housing units. He co-led the completion of the One City One Future platform, a progressive vision for economic development in New York City.
He stepped down as head of the organization in 2009 to seek a seat on the New York City Council. Lander teaches as an adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School.
Social Network
Lander actively engages with his followers on various social media platforms. His Twitter handle (@bradlander) and Instagram page provide updates on his political activities, community events, and personal insights. By leveraging social media, Lander keeps his constituents informed about upcoming initiatives and engages them in meaningful conversations about local governance.
In May 2016, Lander upset Asian community groups by calling supporters of Chinese-American Yungman Lee (a challenger of Representative Nydia Velázquez) "scumbags." Unnamed Asian groups called his comment racist, and rallied at City Hall to denounce it.
Lee said Lander's comments were disrespectful, and his choice of words was especially distasteful, adding: "In my view it's over the top of what should be part of our political discourse... we shouldn't have language like that in our politics." Lee demanded an apology, but Lander refused.
Education
Brad Lander attended Whitman College and later earned his Master's degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). His educational background has greatly influenced his approach to policy-making and community engagement, equipping him with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively serve his constituents.
In summary, Brad Lander continues to be a prominent figure in American politics as of 2025, balancing his role as a politician with his family life and community commitments. With significant accomplishments under his belt and a forward-looking vision for his community, Lander remains a key player in shaping the future of local governance.
Lander is a native of St. Louis, Missouri, and son of Carole Lander and David Lander, a bankruptcy attorney. He grew up in the Creve Coeur suburb of St. Louis in a Reform Jewish family and graduated from Parkway North High School in 1987. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Chicago in 1991, where he received a Harry S.
Truman Scholarship, and master's degrees in anthropology from University College London on a Marshall Scholarship and in urban planning from the Pratt Institute.
