Get Out The Vote on Tuesday! – The Jewish Voice Endorses These Candidates in the June 25th Primary

Get Out The Vote on Tuesday! – The Jewish Voice Endorses These Candidates in the June 25^th Primary

16th Congressional District  – ENDORSEMENT – GEORGE LATIMER

Jamaal Bowman vs George Latimer

The 16th district includes a small portion of the northern Bronx (specifically the neighborhood of Wakefield) and the southern half of Westchester County, including the suburban cities of White Plains, Mount Vernon, Yonkers, New Rochelle, and Rye.

Tensions within the Democratic Party about President Joe Biden’s handling of the Israel-Hamas war are playing out in a key New York primary race on Tuesday.

Rep. Jamaal Bowman faces Westchester County Executive George Latimer in Tuesday’s highly contentious Democratic primary in New York’s 16th Congressional District. This is a safe Democratic district, but it encapsulates the fissures that have emerged within the party.

The race headlines a ballot that includes six primaries for the U.S. House, plus races for state Senate, state Assembly and county district attorney.

The ugly primary in the 16th District has exposed the party’s deep divide over U.S. policy on Israel, with current and former members of the New York congressional delegation sniping at each other and both candidates here seeking to paint the other as out of touch with and unfit for the district.

Bowman, allied with the progressive group of representatives known as the “squad,” represents the left’s opposition to Israel’s conduct during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza and to the Biden administration’s support for Israel. Latimer is running on a more centrist, establishment position: His platform affirms Israel’s “rights of existence, stability, self-defense, and peace.”

The race has already seen eyebrow-raising spending in New York City’s expensive media market. The two candidates have spent $3.2 million apiece in the race, according to campaign finance filings. Outside spending has injected an additional $14.4 million into the district, with the United Democracy Project — the super PAC associated with the pro-Israel American Israel Public Affairs Committee — leading these groups with $11.5 million in support of Latimer.

14th Congressional District –ENDORSEMENT – Marty Dolan

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez  vs Marty Dolan

Hi, I’m Marty Dolan. By now, I hope you know that on June 25th, we can replace AOC with real leadership and representation.

I have a unique finance and international business background, which would serve you well in Congress. I do my own work (including this message). I think, write, and act for myself, not for any PAC or political movement. We need to straighten out our party, not abandon it.

The district includes the eastern part of The Bronx and part of north-central Queens. The Queens portion includes the neighborhoods of Astoria, College Point, Corona, East Elmhurst, Elmhurst, Jackson Heights, and Woodside.

41^st Assembly District – ENDOSEMENT – Kalman Yeger

Kalman Yeger vs Adam Dweck  

District 41 is located in Brooklyn, comprising the neighborhoods of Sheepshead Bay, Flatlands, parts of East Flatbush, Midwood and Canarsie.

The Republican primary election was canceled. Kalman Yeger advanced from the Republican primary for New York State Assembly District 41.

The Conservative Party primary election was canceled. Kalman Yeger advanced from the Conservative Party primary for New York State Assembly District 41.

Yager is the current Councilman in the 48 Council district

Current Assemblywoman of the 41 Assembly District Helen Weinstein is retiring

10th Congressional District

Incumbent Democrat U.S. Rep. Dan Goldman, who represents Congressional District 10, is facing challenges from fellow Democrats Bruno Grandssard and Evan Hutchinson.

Grandsard, who has a long career in private equity and investment firms, is campaigning on his promises to improve affordable housing, fight climate change, and reform broken Democratic processes with open primaries and instating ranked-choice voting.

The topline issue for Hutchinson, meanwhile, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and Israel if elected. The candidate has long worked in politics and strategy, and is running on a platform of championing affordable housing, protecting abortion rights and LGBTQIA+ communities.

50^th Assembly District – ENDORSEMENT – Anathea Simpkins  

Emily Gallagher vs  Anathea Simpkins

In Williamsburg and Greenpoint’s AD50, incumbent Democrat Emily Gallagher is facing a challenge in AD50 from Anathea Simpkins, a longtime Greenpoint resident and anti-violence educator.

In her re-election campaign, Gallagher, also a longtime north Brooklyn resident, has celebrated her legislative wins — like passing the All-Electric Buildings Act and the LLC Transparency Act, as well as keeping AD50 whole during the redistricting process.

Simpkins says she will focus “tackle the housing affordability crisis, improve healthcare, increase education funding, strengthen our economy, and protect our environment.”

52^nd Assembly District

In the 52^nd Assembly District which includes parts of Downtown Brooklyn, Dumbo, Cobble Hill, Carroll Gardens, Prospect Heights, Park Slope and Gowanus, private practice attorney and law professor Scott Budow is challenging incumbent Democrat Jo Anne Simon.

Simon, also a lawyer, has served in the Assembly since 2015, championing causes like gun violence prevention, campaign finance, and children’s education. The Assembly Member has also focused on repairing and protecting the crumbling Brooklyn-Queens Expressway, a hot-button issue in Brooklyn Heights.

For his campaign, Budow says on his website that he was inspired by New York City’s affordability and equity crises, and, if elected, would work to address disparities in healthcare and education while bringing down housing costs and raising minimum wage.

56^th Assembly District – ENDORSEMENT – Stefani Zinerman  

Eon Tyrell Huntley vs. Stefani Zinerman

Last but not least is AD56, one of Brooklyn’s most-watched races this year. Democratic incumbent Stefani Zinerman, who was elected to represent Bed-Stuy and Crown Heights in 2020, is running against primary challenger Eon Tyrell Huntley, a consultant and retail brand manager.

Zinerman, who before being elected worked as a political staffer and program manager for nonprofits, says her primary focus is “provide resources and opportunities for the residents, nonprofits, and small businesses in her district.”

The incumbent said she worked to secure financial aid for New York City public schools, fund gun violence prevention, and helped to legalize marijuana and protect workers from wage theft. Zinerman has also voiced her support for preserving arts and culture in AD56.

Huntley, a longtime retail employee who grew up in NYCHA housing, says he supports boosting affordable housing and tenant protections, education equity and investing in public schools, universal healthcare, and supporting the MTA.

State Senate District 59 – ENDORSEMENT – Gus Lambropoulos

Kristen Gonzalez vs Gus Lambropoulos

Gonzalez is the socialist  endorse Lambropoulos

In SD59, which encompasses parts of Greenpoint and Williamsburg as well as Astoria, Long Island City, and a slice of Manhattan, incumbent Democrat Kristen Gonzalez is being challenged by Gus Lambropoulos.

Gonzalez, a former tech worker, took office in 2022. The incumbent says, if re-elected, she will continue to focus on funding public schools, speeding up the state’s climate goals, and supporting unions and union jobs, as well as passing tenant protections.

Lambropoulos, the son of Greek immigrants, is a former real estate broker and president of a property management and investment firm. The candidate has heavily emphasized his roots in business, and says he will continue to boost the local economy, support local businesses and build community.

District 35

Queens, including East Elmhurst, LaGuardia Airport and Citi Field

Incumbent: Jeffrion Aubry, who is retiring

Longtime Democratic Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry, who also serves as the voice of Assembly proceedings, announced that he would retire and immediately endorsed Democrat Larinda Hooks to replace him. The seat is heavily Democratic and historically has not been competitive in the general election, but perennial candidate and disgraced former lawmaker Hiram Monserrate is vying for the seat again. Aubry defeated the former state senator twice, and Monserrate most recently was kicked off the ballot when he tried to run for the New York City Council. But an open race could give him a chance. A key difference between that has emerged is their position on a casino in their district – Hooks supports the plan while Monserrate opposes it. At the start of June, Hooks had a little under $45,000 on hand and has gotten about $49,000 in public matching funds. Monserrate reported being a little over $2,300 in debt, but has received about $115,000 in public dollars for his campaign.

District 37 – ENDORSEMENT – Johanna Carmona

Queens, including Long Island City, Sunnyside and Ridgewood

Incumbent: Juan Ardila

Claire Valdez vs Johanna Carmona

A Democratic primary to unseat disgraced Assembly Member Juan Ardila is well underway, pitting the Democratic Socialists of America against a candidate closer to the Queens Democratic Party. Ardila’s fundraising and presence has been almost nonexistent following allegations of sexual harassment and assault – and numerous calls for his resignation. He has under $16,000 on hand going into the primary and has not received any public matching funds.

The New York City DSA endorsed union organizer Claire Valdez to replace Ardila. At the start of June, she had over $130,000 in her war chest to spend and has nearly maxed out in public dollars. She touts support from powerful allies including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and state Senate Deputy Majority Leader Michael Gianaris. Johanna Carmona, who previously ran for the seat in 2022, is running in what has become a very competitive primary as well and has picked up some notable endorsements from the likes of Rep. Greg Meeks and the Stonewall Democrats. She has over $89,000 to spend heading into the June election and has received about $88,000 in matching funds. Carmona’s campaign has also gotten a boost from a super PAC tied to Mets owner Steve Cohen, who’s trying to build a casino in Queens.

District 40

Queens, including Flushing

Incumbent: Ron Kim

Queens Assembly Member Ron Kim just squeaked by in 2022, nearly getting unseated by Republican challenger Sharon Liao and winning by only about 2 percentage points. He also only squeaked to victory in his primary that year. Kim faces a strong Democratic primary challenge from Yi Andy Chen, who previously ran for City Council in 2021. He has recorded some impressive fundraising numbers and has maxed out on matching funds. Perennial candidate Dao Yin has also announced a campaign against Kim, raising some fundraising questions along the way. And Republican chiropractor Philip Wang will take on the Democratic primary winner. Kim has picked up some solid endorsements from New York State United Teachers and DC 37, the state’s largest teachers union and the city’s largest union of public employees respectively. Kim is heading into Election Day with over $105,000 in the bank and has received nearly $155,000 in public matching funds. Chen reported over $217,000 on hand at the start of June, while Yin has about $93,000 with nearly $163,000 in public dollars – although a New York Times investigation has raised questions about many matched donations.

District 68

Manhattan, including East Harlem and Randalls Island

Incumbent: Eddie Gibbs

Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs made history when he became the first Black lawmaker to represent his historically Latino East Harlem district in half a century, winning a 2022 special election to replace Robert Rodriguez, who left to become Gov. Kathy Hochul’s secretary of state. Early in January, Manhattan Community Board 11 Chair Xavier Santiago announced his campaign in a bid that could see the return of the Latino representation to the district. The race is something of a proxy war between two Manhattan power-players and longtime rivals: Manhattan Democratic boss Keith Wright, an ally of Gibbs, and Rep. Adriano Espaillat, who has endorsed Santiago. Gibbs had a little under $49,000 in his campaign chest at the start of June and has received about $105,000 from the state’s public campaign finance program. Santiago has just under $56,000 heading into Election Day and he has gotten

District 69

Manhattan, including Morningside Heights and the Upper West Side

Incumbent: Danny O’Donnell, who is retiring

The Upper West Side will soon have new representation after Democratic Assembly Member Danny O’Donnell announced that he would not seek reelection this year. A competitive Democratic primary quickly emerged to replace him. In November, public defender Eli Northrup launched his campaign for the seat. About a month later, real estate lobbyist Melissa Rosenberg added her own name to the mix. Gov. Kathy Hochul’s former Policy Director Micah Lasher, who had been rumored for weeks to be interested in the seat, finally jumped into the race in January and immediately received a slew of endorsements. Carmen Quinones, a NYCHA tenant association president in the district, was the last to announce a bid for the Assembly seat. As of early June, Northrup reported having about $104,000 cash on hand and has received just under $158,000 in matching funds. Lasher reported $224,000 cash on hand and has maxed out the public dollars.  Rosenberg reported having about $22,000 cash on hand, having gotten $60,000 from the state, and Quinones had about $4,400 on hand. She has not gotten any matching funds.

District 70

Manhattan, including West Harlem and Central Harlem

Incumbent: Inez Dickens, who is retiring

Assembly Member Inez Dickens has announced that she will not run for reelection, and five candidates are vying to replace her. The likely front-runner is Jordan Wright, who formally launched his campaign in February. Wright is the former campaign manager for Council Member Yusef Salaam (whose district overlaps with this one) and the son of Keith Wright, the powerful Manhattan Democratic Party leader. Other candidates include Maria Ordoñez, a former City Council candidate who is a member of DSA but has not been endorsed by the organization; Shana Harmongoff, a former staffer for then-state Sen. Brian Benjamin; and Craig Schley, a Justice Department staff attorney. Wright was heading into Election Day with about $123,000 in the bank and has received just under $117,000 in matching funds. Ordoñez had over $58,000 in the bank at the start of June and got around $113,000 in public dollars. Schley is $1,500 in debt as of his last filing and has received no matching funds. Harmongoff had close to $30,000 going into the election and has gotten about $62,000 from the public campaign finance program. Joshua Clennon, the former political director and vice president of the Manhattan Young Democrats, ultimately did not make the ballot.

Assembly District 77

District 77Bronx, including Highbridge I

Incumbent: Landon Dais

Just a few days into the beginning of session, Assembly Member Latoya Joyner announced that she was leaving the state Legislature for what we have since learned is a position at Montefiore. Landon Dais won a Feb. 13 special election and until recently, was expected to coast to the general election unchallenged. Enter New York City Mayor Eric Adams’ Bronx Borough Director Leonardo Coello. Coello is a fixture at Bronx community meetings and likes his odds in a less truncated campaign than Dais’ low turnout win, although Dais has nearly a full session under his belt to use as an example of what he’ll do in office. Dais’ most recent filings had him with $23,000 heading into the June primary and he has not received any matching funds. Coello had $16,000 and has similarly not used the matching funds program.

District 82 – ENDORSEMENT – Michael Benedetto

Bronx, including Co-Op City and Pelham Bay

Incumbent: Michael Benedetto

For the second cycle in a row, Assembly Member Michael Benedetto will face a Democratic primary challenge from progressive Jonathan Soto. Although Benedetto easily held off Soto’s campaign in 2022, when Soto was part of a slate of candidates that received strong support from the Working Families Party to unseat incumbents, the DSA endorsed Soto this year. The organization does not currently have any associated state legislators from the Bronx, so the election could prove to be an important new expansion into the borough. Meanwhile, Benedetto has been the beneficiary of a wave of spending against progressive or DSA-backed candidates in New York state races. Benedetto has especially gotten a bump from Israeli solidarity political action committees with links to charter schools. Heading into Election Day, Benedetto reported $99,000 on hand and has gotten the same amount from the state. Soto had $55,000 in his war chest and has received $59,000 in public dollars.