With the release of new council lines this week that add Orthodox Jews to Mike Nelson’s council seat, the race to replace the term-limited Nelson is already under way. Insiders tell us that Chaim Deutsch of Flatbush Shomrim is mulling a run. So is Kalman Yeger, a top adviser to
Councilman David Greenfield.
Another frum contender is Assembly candidate Ben Akselrod. We’re told that win or lose Ben is considering running for the council seat next year. If Ben wins he would have an easy way to campaign for a council seat that is universally considered a better job than the lower-paying position of Assemblymember. Other non-frum contenders include Ari Kagan, who looks like a favorite to win the district leader race against incumbent Mike Geller. Community Board 15 Chair Theresa Scavo is also said to be interested in running.
“This is really a race between the frum community and the Russian community,” said one political consultant. “In the end of the day it all depends on who runs, if several frum Jews run, the seat is likely to go Russian. On the other hand if the frum community unites behind a single candidate that candidate can win.”
This is a small selection of a new exclusive political analysis column – Backroom Deals – available only in Yeshiva World News print edition being distributed today in Boro Park & Midwood. If you live in Boro Park or Midwood and would like a free weekly subscription please email your name and address to: [email protected]
(Dov Gordon – YWN)
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8 Responses
Thanks YWN. I got your free newspaper this morning on my doorstep. The paper is good but Dov Gordon’s column is AWESOME. It’s a must read for anyone who really wants to know about what’s going on in the political world.
Tough choice. Chaim Deutsch has done a lot for the community through Shomrim. But Kalman Yeger is really smart and could probably get more done in the council. I have never heard of Ben Akslerod before this week, so I don’t know him.
Either Kalman or Chaim would be excellent choices for City Council.
Dear halt shtark
Chaim is a wonderful guy, down to earth, and knows pretty well how the council works and how to deliver from the years as senior aide to Con. Nelson.
You don’t need a law degree to be able to deliver. You need a Yiddish heart, and the experience. Chaim is the real guy with these qualifications. I hope that he runs and he win.
Interesting. Either way the Yager family will win. Isn’t Chaim Deutch, Kalman’s Brother in law? Ben Axelrod, who has the endorsement of all the Roshei Hayishivo’s, is running for the assembly in the 45ad against the disgraced Steven Cymbrowitz, who has long ago forsaken Torah Values & does NOT represent us!
Chaim Deustsch is hands down the best candidate & he always gets things done for the community.
Chaim’s a good guy but he’s more in the mold of Mike Nelson. Kalman is very smart, hard-working and an operator. I would vote for either one. But if I had too choose, I’m with Kalman.
Why would Kalman run against Chaim?? They always worked together? That’s really low….