Mayor, Democratic Primary
Let’s face it. The only candidates who have any chance of winning the Democratic Primary on June 24 are former NYS Governor Andrew Cuomo and NYS Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani. (Erstwhile Democrat, Mayor Eric Adams is running for reelection as an Independent.) None of the others poll anywhere close. (Nor would we want to see the very distant third-place candidate, Brad Lander, pull ahead.) And the winner here stands a very good chance of winning in the general election in November.
Although Mr. Cuomo carries a lot of political baggage, we at The Jewish Press choose him over Mr. Mamdani, who would be a danger to everyone who lives in New York City, and especially its Jewish citizens.
Yes, Mr. Cuomo has been criticized for his Covid policies and harassment allegations – over which he resigned the governorship – and several changes to criminal law he got passed. But even all that is preferable to the prospect of Mamdani winning. Mamdani describes himself as a Democratic Socialist and proudly associates with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) and has warmly embraced the woke agenda that has gotten New York City into the fiscal and sociopolitical mess it is in.
For example, he is proposing pie-in-the-sky proposals, like no-fare bus service and free groceries, but doesn’t explain where the money will come from. He talks about artificial caps on rent, but doesn’t explain how landlords will be able to pay real estate taxes and other property and tenant-related expenses.
In a debate last week, another candidate, Whitney Tilson, addressed Mamdani directly with these poignant words: “You’re a proud member of the Democratic Socialists of America; you refer to each other as comrade. And right now on the DSA website, it calls for government ownership of all major industries; to decriminalize all misdemeanors, including theft and assault; to empty our prisons and to disarm, dismantle and defund the police.”
In addition, Mamdani is a supporter of the BDS movement, recently said Israel should no longer be a Jewish state, and purports that Prime Minister Netanyahu should be arrested and that Israel has committed genocide in the course of the Gaza/Hamas-Israel war.
All of which means there is a distinct chance that the American city with the largest Jewish population will have an anti-Israel – and many would argue, an antisemitic – mayor.
So, while we have several contentions with Mr. Cuomo, they pale in comparison to the very real peril the Jewish community could face with Mamdani as mayor.
We therefore urge every registered Democratic reader to go out and vote for Andrew Cuomo (and, to be clear, voting for candidates who have no chance of winning would effectively give your vote to Mamdani), and drive another two or three voters to the polls to do the same.
New York City now has ranked voting, but you do not have to rank anyone after Cuomo. We urge voters to simply rank Cuomo as their first option and only option.
NYC Comptroller
For Comptroller of New York City, The Jewish Press supports Mark Lavine. He has attended virtually every “free the hostages” rally, Israel parade, and has been very vocal about fighting antisemitism and opposing the ongoing war on Israel. Although the office is not well-known, the Comptroller has a huge influence on where NYC pensions invest their funds and can play a major role in fighting the divest from Israel movement. His opponent, Justin Brannan, as a member of the NYC Council, used to be an ally of the Jewish community, but is now reportedly seeking support from the likes of Linda Sarsour and a range of other far left activists who are no friends of Israel.
Mark Lavine is the better choice.
City Council
48th District, Brooklyn – parts of Brighton Beach, Homecrest, Manhattan Beach, Midwood, Sheepshead Bay and Coney Island:
In the 48th we urge a vote for Inna Vernikov. She is a highly regarded immigration and matrimonial lawyer and a staunch advocate for our community’s interests. As a member of the New York City Council, she pulled $50,000 in councilmember funding for CUNY Law School after its faculty passed a resolution supporting BDS. She also organized a march against antisemitism after two teenagers were assaulted for wearing a hoodie with the logo of the IDF.
