QUEENS: NY Governor Picks Up Endorsements From 14 Jewish Orthodox Leaders

QUEENS (NYC) NY: Fourteen rabbis and Orthodox community leaders from Queens were among the 400 faith leaders who endorsed New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s bid for her first full term as governor.

The list released by the Hochul campaign included Christian, Jewish and Muslim clergy and activists. The campaign called it the largest ever faith-based coalition to endorse a gubernatorial candidate in state history.

The only Jewish endorsers listed are the Orthodox rabbis and community leaders from Queens.

The list does not include representatives of non-Orthodox denominations, nor Orthodox rabbis from Brooklyn and other areas whose large Orthodox voting blocs are coveted by candidates.

In regards to the Orthodox community of Brooklyn, the governor is planning to do more outreach there in the weeks to come.

Governor Hochul’s endorsers also included Far Rockaway Jewish leaders Rabbi Ephraim Blumenkrantz of Beit Medrash Ateres Yisroel and Jonathan Pelman of Khal Zichron Moshe Dovid.

Another rabbi on the list, Baruch Rothman of Yeshiva Ateres Shimon in Far Rockaway.

And from Flushing, Rabbi Yani Meirov, Shlomo Meirov and Rabbi Shlomo Nishanov of Kehilat Sephardim of Ahavat Achim.

Endorsers from Kew Gardens were Dov Mermelstein, Howard Mermelstein, Jacob Weinberg, Elie Fried and Golda Fried.

Also endorsing Hochul were Rabbi Nathan Goldberg of Young Israel of Holliswood in Jamaica.

In a statement, Hochul said that she is “humbled and honored” over the endorsements and will continue to partner with faith leaders throughout the state. 

Governor Hochul is gearing up for the Democratic primary in June. Her likely Democratic rivals will include US Representative Tom Suozzi, a moderate from Long Island, and NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, a progressive.

US Representative Lee Zeldin, the Jewish Republican from Long Island, is seeking his party’s nomination for governor. He recently released a poll which he says shows that he has a viable chance of winning the election.

Cuomo, who reluctantly quit the governorship amid a swirl of sexual harassment allegations, has also hinted he might make a run for his old office.