By COLlive reporter
Ahead of the upcoming May 5th election, local Shuls have endorsed Crown Heights resident and fellow Lubavitcher Mendy Raitport for New York State Assembly candidate.
The group of Shuls, listed with the names of their presidents, have signed the endorsement stating that Raitport, a business owner and volunteer in the community, has “seen much and done much for our community. His loyalty to the community now compels him to do more,” they said.
“Now he wants to serve our community as assemblyman…We cannot think of anyone more suited to the job,” they said.
The influential Crown Heights PAC, the local Political Action Committee, also endorsed Raitport, with members Chanina Sperlin, Leibish Nash, Zaki Tamir, Moshe Malamud and Yossi Spalter signing a letter in support.
Raitport was also endorsed by the Jewish Press Newspaper, who noted that “Mr. Raitport is a solid citizen of the Crown Heights community: he is a business owner there and comes from a family that for decades has been deeply involved in its religious, social service and educational institutions.
He is a strong advocate of self-help and job training and for a fair and balanced housing program including subsidized housing where appropriate. He has championed the construction of underground parking lots to deal with the chronic lack of parking spaces in the district and calls for a common sense policy regarding bike lanes, urging that more attention be paid to the needs of motorists.”
In a letter to the community, Raitport’s wife Esther Raitport appealed to residents to come out and support a fellow Lubavitcher candidate who has the community’s needs at heart.
“Mendy has been helping people all his life,” says Esther Raitport. “Being raised in a family that is charitable and giving, it is in his blood to help people. In the past, Mendy has helped people quietly, without any fanfare or recognition… He is very passionate in what he believes in. I give you my word, he will take that passion and be a voice for us in Albany.
“It is all up to you! We need every one of to vote on Tuesday May 5th! Please do not rely on your friend, or neighbor. Every vote counts. As has been said, the last special election was won with only 12 votes! We are relying on you to make this a reality,” she said.
A special election for the position will be taking place on Tuesday, May 5, and the Democrat vote will be divided between three competing candidates due to a filing error.
Candidates vying for those votes are Shirley Patterson of the Independent Party, Diane Richardson of the Working Families & Green Parties and Geoffrey Davis of the Love Yourself Party.
Her letter would have had more impact if she had appealed to the women. We got the vote a hundred years ago and most of us vote our own minds- not what our husbands tell us.
Stop the Democrat bashing- Republicans are not the only one who love Israel. The State Legislature has nothing to do with voting for anything that has to do with Israel.
I love Lubavitchers as much as anyone, but simply being a Lubavitcher does not mean one is a good candidate.
If you want your vote to count, especially when it comes to getting important bills like tuition tax credits passed, you need to be in the majority, which for the NYS Assembly is Democrat. Shirley has been a democrat for years and will definitely be conferencing with the Democrats. That said, Shirley Patterson, has been serving the general Crown Heights Community for decades. Briefly, she is currently the female District leader for ten years, has served seven years on the School Board for District 17 – a district responsible for the education of 26,000 young people. She was active on… Read more »
Dont make the mistake and vote for someone you think will end up with democratic party next election. 1) This election will show that if we support a candidate he can win regardless of party line. If Raitport wins its a good chance that he can win next time if we give him same support. 2) If Raitport wins the Democrats may want him on their party line as well next election.
The ABC of politics.
I find it inconceivable that anyone in our community would promote anyone but Raitport, he is our own.
The issue of limited tenure is not relevant, 12 months is a long time away, Moshiach will have long arrived.
Let Menachem win the seat with our overwhelming support, he will work hard bringing benefit to our families.
BS”D
How does any lone voice (probably am idiot at that) have the right to declare Menachem has no chance when the Crown Heights powers that be have endorsed him whereas in the past they have not just for the very reason that he had no chance. It seems to me that have verified his chances before endorsing him
Chutzpah isn’t always a slap in the face. Its more subtle. The
only Normal thing to do is vote for raitport… Anything else
is simply a Chutzpah…
Menachem Raitport doesn’t stand a chance, between the other 3 candidates.
GEOFFREY DAVIS is the only one who committed to fight for the Education Investment Tax Credit Bill that will help our yeshivas.
GEOFFREY DAVIS is the only one who was working together with the Jewish community in the past and has a good relationship with the Jewish community for the past decades.
Menachem Raitport doesn’t stand a chance in hell! Let’s not waste our vote, between the all other candidates, Geoffrey Davis is the best for our community.
VOTE GEOFFREY DAVIS!!!
hatzlacha
BS”D
ps have not seen one sign telling us where to vote
and I hope for the next election he will discard that silly pose. Have you ever seen a President or candidate for President pose like that- it is not at all a presidential pose
Hatzlacha lets send Dov Hinkinfsand Yankel back to the drawing board
BS”D why can it not be that if Menachem wins and does good and proves himself to be capable he can then win next time without the gimmick that helped this time. My gosh, give the man a chance
I am supporting SHIRLEY PATTERSON as aLubavitcher involved in politics I know she has a wealth of experience has worked as a District Leader with many Jewish Crown Heighters with fairness and respect.She is not doing this just for herself but the community at large she has the connections to effect a meaningful change in our community.Support SHIRLEY PATTERSON
Democrats are rebels against G-d Alm-ty: A. Same-gendermarriage (‘Marriage?’) B. Abortion over 40 day..a form of murder according to ‘The 7 Noahide Laws.’ (How would YOU like to be THAT fetus?). I used to be a Democrat, along with my father Hershcel & Mother, Tzippora. It’s hard to abide by their anti-Americanism…’One nation, under G-d, with liberty and justice for all’ but not SOME. They are ruining termonology ‘Marriage’ Imagine if the founding fathers had a homosexual problem. They would have added to ‘The Constitution’ Marriage is an institution between a man and woman…male and female. Then there would have… Read more »
you don’t like the idea of a Lubavitcher running do you?????
But he is a republican his term will be for 1 year and will not win in the next general election.
Let a Democrat win like Patterson who fights for everyone and she will be here for years to come.
Even Davis has been a great friend of the neighborhood.