YWN has confirmed that Chaim Israel is running for City Council in the 44th District, even if he loses the Democratic primary or chooses to skip the Democratic primary in September. Joseph Hayon, a Republican activist, is behind Mr. Israel’s candidacy. Speaking with YWN, Mr. Hayon confirmed that he is advocating by the Brooklyn Republican County committee to grant Mr. Israel a Wilson Pakula so he can run on the Republican line. Asked whether Mr. Israel expressed his willingness to seek public office, “oh yeah, it wasn’t hard to convince him,” Mr Hayon said.

Interestingly enough, this reporter encountered a very embarrassing incident, in August 2012, between Mr. Hikind and Mr. Hayon. It was Erev Shabbos. I accompanied Moshe Friedman to deliver the papers he had to sign accepting the Community First’s party line endorsement. During the friendly conversation, at the front door of his home, Mr. Hikind noticed Mr. Hayon sitting in the back of the car. Assemblyman Hikind, who was without socks and slippers, angrily stepped out barefooted and walked over to the car, screaming at Hayon for helping the Tischler brothers challenge his petitions for the GOP and Conservative lines. A year later, they seem to have made up.

Yesterday, Mr. Israel,accompanied by Mr. Hayon, met with Brooklyn GOP chairman Craig Eaton to get the county’s support. Mr. Eaton expressed his full-fledged support and even urged Mr. Israel to register as a Republican. Mr. Israel, we were told, refused to give up his Democratic registration.

Mr. Israel declined to comment.

Joseph Hayon told YWN: “If Chaim Israel decides not to run on the Republican line, I myself will run for the seat.”

(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)