For weeks we’ve been hearing rumors that Assemblyman Dov Hikind is considering stepping down in middle of his upcoming term to give his son Yoni a better chance of winning the election to replace him. By some accounts, Hikind is tired of schlepping back and forth to Albany and wants to retire to Israel. Adding fuel to those rumors, Yoni went on Dov’s radio show a couple of weeks ago and clearly said that he intends to run for office one day.
“If Dov steps down before the end of the term, he would be able to give Yoni the Democratic nomination and a leg-up in the race to succeed him,” explained one political strategist. However, insiders say that Yoni Hikind would face competition if and when Dov decided to retire from the New York State Assembly. We’re told that possible candidates for an open Assembly seat include Simcha Eichenstein, an adviser to Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, Pinny Ringel, Chief of Staff, to Senator David Storobin and Berri Spitzer, District Director for Councilman David Greenfield.
It should be noted, that in January of 2012 YWN published an exclusive story that Hikind may run his son. Following our article, Hikind spoke with another Jewish news website who dismissed our story as (quote) “completely unfounded” and said that (quote) “he has no idea how the rumors regarding his son got started”.
“Yoni has no interest in any political office at this point in time.”
(Dov Gordon – YWN)
This is a small selection of a new exclusive political analysis column – Backroom Deals – available only in Yeshiva World News print edition distributed every Fridays in Boro Park, Midwood & Queens. Dov Gordon is a political maven with unrivaled sources in the New York political world. Have a tip for Dov? Email him at [email protected]. As you can see from his column, he guarantees all his sources confidentiality. Please note, this column is an opinion piece. The views reflected here are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of YWN.
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10 Responses
I was going to make a pun about the Legislature turning into a “House of Lords”, except the Brits largely eliminated hereditary peerages (or rather, took away their legislative role).
I hope this does give Malia or Chelsea any ideas.
No different than the nepotism that takes place in every Yeshiva and business
#2- In theory, members of the legislature are servants of the public, rather than being in it for their own benefit – unlike a small business. Thus, such behavior is not allowed in most part of the United States. New York has always been quite different (think of Wagner, Patterson, Powell, etc.), since the city is in many ways quite “unAmerican.”
Pinny Ringel would make a great Assemblyman if he doesn’t mind spending time in Albany. We don’t need any more of these political dynasties in New York.
All our better than Yoni, Simcha, Pinny and Berel. But if we could rid ourselves of Dov its worth it.
i think it is time for hikend to go. i dont have anything against hikend but he is already there for more then 30 years. it is time for fresh blood. from all the ones mentioned so far. i like the best simcha eichenshtein. i think he is the best person to represent us. i have nothing against pinny or berri. but i dont think that they are really up to the task. simcha comes across as the most professional and he has a head on his shoulders. i know someone that knows him well. they say he is very very smart
The Jewish community would be very lucky if Simcha Eichenstein would choose to run for this Assembly seat. I don’t know that this is something that he would consider doing (I know he has a little kid at home), but I am just telling you, if this ever happens, our community will never be ignored!
Akuperma, you claim “such behavior is not allowed in most part of the United States”. Really now? How would this be any different than the Romneys, Bushes, Gores, Dodds, Daleys, Bidens, Tafts, Landons, Udalls, Rockefellers, and many many more? Not to mention the Adamses (Sam, John, John Quincey). (Or, of course, the Kennedys. And I didn’t bring up the Roosevelts or Cuomos because they’re from NY.)
Yup yup