As the days leading up to the much pivotal mid-term elections on November 6 are fast approaching, most Americans have been exhorted to vote and exercise their civic responsibility to choose our congressional, state and local elected officials. Having said that, the media has for the most part focused on national races. While crucial in determining the balance of partisan influence in our federal legislature, many of us New York denizens and especially Brooklynites might find themselves in a perplexing quandary about who is on the ballot and who truly represents our interests.
Here are a number of candidates that the Jewish Voice is endorsing.
FOR NYS GOVERNOR – Marc Molinaro – Mr. Molinaro is the GOP candidate in the New York gubernatorial race and faces incumbent Andrew Cuomo at the polls on November 6th. Mr. Molinaro issued a full-throated condemnation of Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and his vitriolic hatred of Jews on October 18th. Mr. Molinaro stated:
“Louis Farrakhan’s blatant anti-Semitism must be met with universal condemnation from all U.S. political leaders of good will. Mr. Farrakhan has long espoused hateful and dangerous views, and sadly, his type of destabilizing rhetoric is infesting too many on the left and right. Those of us who cherish civility and reason must band together and speak as one — even when we honestly disagree on an issue — to protect a civil peace that must never be taken for granted. This state and nation are better than this and each of us has a role to play, including me.”
FOR CONGRESS IN NY’s 10th Congressional District – Naomi Levin – Running against longtime incumbent Jerry Nadler (D) in Manhattan’s 10th Congressional district is GOP candidate Naomi Levin. A fresh face on the political scene, Ms. Levin brings with her a new perspective on the issues that are important to residents of the district that she is vying to represent in Congress.
On the follow of the Iranian nuclear deal that was supported by her opponent, Ms. Levin issued the following statement on her web site:
“Iran’s recent drive toward domination has caused much destabilization in the Middle East and threatens our National Security. We cannot allow Iran to become a state sponsor of terrorism with nuclear capability. The Iran deal, championed by Congressman Nadler, was deeply flawed. It released over $100B to the world’s greatest state sponsor of terrorism, guarantees that Iran will become a threshold nuclear power in no more than 10 or 15 years, and has allowed Iran to proceed with its proliferation away from the eyes of inspectors. It also allows Iran to develop ballistic missiles that could deliver a nuclear warhead to the United States, and likely will set off a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. We need a plan to impose harsh economic sanctions on Iran. I would advocate for a sanctions timeframe and assess the efficacy. I will work with Congress to make sure we have a sound plan of action for Iran so that this problem can be resolved peacefully while we have the time.”
FOR NY State Assembly on Manhattan’s East Side in District 73 – Dr. Jeffrey Ascherman – Concerning his constituents’ interest in seeing a vast improvement in the NYC subway service, Dr. Ascherman issued the following statement on his web site.
“He would like to see our subways suffer fewer delays and malfunctions and be restored to a more peaceful environment where all users can enjoy their rides without disturbances or concerns for personal safety. To accomplish this, he believes in an increase in support for MTA police, a decrease in wasteful spending and regulation, and more efficient utilization of current resources. He would also like to see the New York State government and New York City leadership work more closely together on this issue.”
FOR CONGRESS IN NY’s 1st District–Rep Lee Zeldin – Congressman Lee Zeldin’s (GOP) top priorities in Congress include protecting America’s security at home and abroad, helping grow our economy and create more good paying jobs, supporting our veterans and first responders, improving the quality of education, repairing our nation’s infrastructure, improving healthcare in America and safeguarding our environment. He is one of two Jewish Republicans in Congress
FOR CONGRESS IN NY’s 2nd District–Rep Peter King – Concerning his position on the threat of domestic terrorism, Rep King has stated:
“The threat of homegrown terrorism and violent Islamist extremist radicalization is the most prolific threat facing the Homeland. The people of New York were again reminded of this on Halloween when Sayfullo Habibullaveic Saipov killed 8 people in the name of ISIS and in December when ISIS-inspired would-be suicide bomber, Akayed Ullah, set off a homemade explosive device at the Port Authority Bus Terminal subway station. In the 112th Congress, in my capacity as Chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, I held a series of hearings examining the extent of this threat. Since then, I have continued to try to shine a light on the problem of radicalization in the United States. With the multiplication of al-Qaeda-affiliated and jihadist groups worldwide, and the growth of ISIS, the threat of radicalization has worsened.”
FOR CONGRESS IN NY’s 8th DISTRICT – Rep Hakeem Jeffries
Rep Jeffries position on housing for New Yorkers in his district:
Rep. Jeffries said: “Public housing residents have been forced to live in conditions that are inhumane, unacceptable and immoral in a civilized society. It is time for that to change. Every American deserves to live in housing that is safe, decent and affordable, with heat, hot water, functional electricity, elevators that work and buildings that do not subject children to lead poisoning. That is why House Democrats are proposing an unprecedented $70 billion investment in our nation’s public housing.”
FOR STATE SENATE in BROOKLYN’s 17th DISTRICT – Senator Simcha Felder
The Jewish Voice offers a full-throated endorsement of Senator Simcha Felder for re—election as the state senator in Bklyn’s 17th district.
“An outspoken advocate for responsible neighborhood development, Simcha Felder worked to transform empty city-owned lots for community uses such as new housing and a Hatzolah Volunteer Ambulance garage and headquarters. Simcha fought to secure City funding to add new playgrounds, open up and renovate schoolyards for public use, and plant thousands of new trees on city streets.”
Edited by: JV Staff
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