Rockland County’s Orthodox Jewish community’s are heading to the polls today and there are two important races that people are following closely.
Democratic candidate Thomas Gulla is running against five-term incumbent Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee in the 97th Assembly District.
Many have accused Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee of stirring up anti-Jewish sentiment in the county, with unwarranted attacks against Yeshivas as well as questioning the validity of Orthodox Jewish Voters (See video in extended article)
In the past, Jaffee enjoyed the support of the Orthodox community, but this year the incumbent seems to have lost its support with every Kehilla backing her opponent.
One influential observer told YWN, “at a certain point elected officials need to understand that their words and actions have electoral consequences. Jafffe’s agenda and rhetoric have unfortunately gone well past the line of fairness.”
The district includes Orangetown, the Ramapo villages of Spring Valley, Suffern, Airmont, Chestnut Ridge, Hillburn, parts of Montebello, New Square, and areas in unincorporated Ramapo, including sections of Monsey.
Activists supporting Jaffee including the anti-orthodox citizens group Preserve Rockland/Ramapo as well as the NY State Teachers Union have launched an 11th hour effort to stave off a historic upset of their preferred candidate.
The other race being closely watched is for the 98th Assembly District.
Incumbent Karl Brabenec faces four primary challenges as he seeks his second term.
John Allegro, who has been active in the citizens’ group United Monroe, is Brabenec’s foe in the GOP primary. Aron Wieder of Spring Valley is opposing Brabenec on the Independence Party line.
Wieder, a Rockland County legislator, also is opposing Krystal Serrano of Monroe for the Democratic and Women’s Equality lines.
The 98th Assembly District includes parts of the villages of Spring Valley, Montebello, Wesley Hills, Monsey and Kaser, and all of the village of Sloatsburg. The Orange County towns of Monroe, Tuxedo, Warwick, Minisink, Greenville and Deerpark also are represented. Wieder lost two years ago by 68 votes.
With Rockland and Orange counties facing intense and unprecedented division over school funding and development/housing,experts say that the two races will be won or lost based on turnout.
(Chaim Shapiro – YWN)
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It should be noted that many view the key issue in the Jaffee-Gulla contest to have been Jaffee’s relentless support of assisted suicide. Many rabbonim have signed a psak that such candidates should be defeated.