Assemblyman Dov Hikind to endorse former City Comptroller and Democratic mayoral candidate, Bill Thompson as his choice for mayor, Thursday at noon outside Amnon’s Kosher Pizza.
Last week, YWN first reported the expected endorsement which Assemblyman Dov Hikind later denied.
08/15: “Brooklyn Assemblyman Dov Hikind is, reportedly, going to endorse former City comptroller Bill Thompson for mayor of New York City. Mr. Hikind is on a visit to Israel and is expected to make the announcement as early as next Tuesday, according to photojournalist Shimon Gifter.”
Minutes later, Mr. Hikind denied the report on his personal blog:
“Not surprisingly there are rumors going around regarding who I will support for NYC’s next mayor,” Mr. Hikind wrote on his blog. “While the attention to my endorsement is flattering, it should be known that my endorsements of any candidates have never had anything to do with politics. I have only endorsed candidates who I personally felt would be best for our community and the issues that are most important to us.”
“With regards to Bill de Blasio and Bill Thompson (listed here alphabetically, or by height if you prefer) I believe both of these men would be great for the Jewish community. They are both men of excellent character and I have enjoyed both a personal and professional relationship with each of them,” he added.
It should be said, that Mr. Hikind’s decision to back Mr. Thompson came after a YWN Op-Ed that called on Mr. Hikind to announce his choice for mayor. “Thereupon, I would urge Dov to take the courage, take the bold step and face the challenge by doing the obvious and wagering the outcome for the benefit of the community,” this reporter wrote in the Op-Ed.
(Jacob Kornbluh – YWN)
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5 Responses
I believe that the headline should read: “Hiking Affirms His Anti-Yeshiva Funding Stance.”
Hikind is the politician who represented the largest group of orthodox-Jews outside of Israel; yet, he never did an iota to assist parents with their tuition. For three decades, Hikind sat in Albany and not even once did he attempt to repeal the Blaine Amendment or introduce school-choice legislation (which according to many courts does not refute the amendment). We all know about the elephant in the room regarding Hikind’s tuition expenses; however, one would expect him to at least empathize with his constituents.
Bill Thompson has less in common with any orthodox-Jewish voter than most mayoral candidates. However, his biggest disadvantage is his record regarding Yeshivos. First, accepting the support of the United Federation of Teachers affirms his support for the anti-Yeshiva lobby. Second, Thompson, while president of the Board of Education, worked against school choice, charter schools and the interests of Yeshivos. Moreover, he was the first to quit a mayoral debate sponsored by a pro-school choice lobby.
Most orthodox-Jews care more about the rising tuition costs than any other issue. While Thompson seeks to handcuff the NYPD, build public housing, and declare a war on poverty, he never cared to address the issues pressing our community. Hikind ought to explain why we should support Thompson (and remember that no one pays the tuition bills on our behalf).
When pulling the lever for any candidate, we must remember that the anti-Bloomberg candidates are no seeking to reinstate the Giuliani era but return us to medieval Dinkins policies (now the blackface politician will accuse me of being a racist).
Joe Lhota is the only candidate (with a chance of winning City Hall) who supports Yeshivos and our issues. He would not turn back the clock on the successful Giuliani-Bloomberg economic and security initiatives. (Oh, Hikind can’t endorse former deputy mayor Lhota – he worked for Giuliani when he was under investigation, never mind…)
I should add: The only Democratic candidates who expressed support for Yeshivos (in alphabetical order) are ‘Carlos Danger’, Cristine Quinn, and Eric Salgado.
Not sure I subscribe to the theory that hikind was pushed into an endorsement after reading YWN. I still think thompson endorsement is hikind throwing a bone to the black community after his epic purim blackface fail.
Hikind is in Israel? Shocking! Rumor has it that he will actually be endorsing write-in candidate David Greenfield for mayor. After seeing the senseless in-fighting in Israel over nonsense, he has decided to put all his differences aside and do what is best to hasten Moshiach in these very difficult times. David Greenfield, although looking flattered, had no comment on the difficult situation plaguing the NY Yankees at this time.
Dov: I hope this endorsement is only for the primary because whom ever is chosen by the republicans would be better. Have you ever asked him about his pandering top the blasck communuity in his stop and frisk position?