By COLlive reporter
Shirley Patterson, one of the three Democrat-linked candidates to represent the 43rd District in the New York State Assembly, met a group of young Jewish professionals to rally support on Sunday.
Over 60 guests mingled on a rooftop in Crown Heights over wine, beer and barbecue to hear from Patterson, a Democratic district leader for the 43rd running now as the Independence Party.
She was flanked by Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, New York State Senator Jesse Hamilton of Crown Heights and New York City Councilman David Greenfield who represents Boro Park and Midwood.
Patterson told participants that she understands the growing needs of the Crown Heights Jewish community. “I sent my children to private school and know of the high tuition costs,” she said. “No community should be double taxed. Therefore I support tax credit for private schools.”
Patterson also pointed out that she is a strong supporter of the unique U.S.-Israel relationship, stating that “Israel has the right to defend herself. I will work with local political leaders to support Israel.”
Adams commented that electing Patterson would complete “a Brooklyn team that is best equipped to represent the community in Albany. I look forward to working with her and Senator Hamilton to solve the housing crisis in Crown Heights.”
Patterson is running against fellow Democrats Diane Richardson of the Working Families & Green Parties and Geoffrey Davis of the Love Yourself Party. Crown Heights store owner Menachem Raitport, the only Jewish candidate in the race, is the Republican and Conservative parties candidate.
The bottom line is that this is a race between Shirley Patterson and Diane Richardson, Councilman Greenfield said. “The reality is that no other candidates are in serious contention. If you are going to vote for a Democrat, you want to vote for the Independent Democrat who has a track-record of working with all communities including the Jewish community.”
Avi Lesches, member of Brooklyn Community Board 9, also framed the race as between Patterson and Richardson. He said Richardson “is strongly opposed to rezoning our neighborhoods to allow frum families to expand their homes,” while “Shirley Patterson pledged to work with us to accommodate all of our community’s needs.”
Liam McCabe, campaign manager for Raitport, told COLlive.com in response: “All David Greenfield has is his own opinion. Our polling shows that this is a very close race and that Mendy Raitport is well positioned to win. Walk down the streets, everyone is energized about Mendy.”
Yaacov Behrman, a local Jewish activist, joined others at the event in claiming that Raitport would be “ineffective” as a Republican in the State Assembly where Democrats hold a majority of the seats.
“If you plan on voting for Mendy because the Jewish establishment said so, I respect that,” Behrman told COLlive.com. “But this race is not about the short term. There is the potential of serious consequences for the community if the wrong democrat is elected. This is why I will be voting for Patterson on Tuesday.”
The special elections is taking place on Tuesday, May 5.
CANDIDATES WEBSITES:
+ Geoffrey Davis
+ Shirley Patterson
+ Menachem “Mendy” Raitport
+ Diana Richardson
Kids want to get some attention instead of voting for a jew who would help crown heights in many aspects
First, take a deep breath. then note that women have indeed been voting in this and all prior elections in this community. As a woman, I don’t find it necessary to join a club or group for discussion in order to vote as I am already quite well informed about the candidates and able to make my own voting choice. There is nothing to stop you from organizing a clique or group of young women constituents to discuss elections if you want or need the same experience as the group of guys mentioned in the article.
they’re just a bunch of hungry guys looking for food and attention. who cares about their opinion? yay, they got a barbeque. Yay, I vote for Mendy.
this is the reason why CH is a flawed community. Whenever we try to unite the community, along comes some misfits to divide CH. shame on you boys!
This mistake our community has been making for years. Afraid to challenge the way things were in the past. First, WE have to show that we are a voting block. 2nd if Dems see that we are a voting block and we want Raitport they will have raitport on democrat line as well. ABC of politcis
you are not our mentors and keep your opinion to yourselves. just devastating a shchuna becasue of your interests. it’ s really embarrassing on your part
They all work for the “boss” filthy rich billionaire self hating Jews or not, that is aswell all the black politicians they sell out their own community to these ‘eilitists’, they buy them with some benefits & handouts,
Bottom line their promises are flat out lies, it’s not they don’t want to help they can’t help.
They’re like a puppy with a leash.
for Raitport.
Politicians dont do anything. mark my words NOT ONE OF THESE GUYS WILL DO ANYTHING TO HELP US. that being said, if we vote for raitport at least we will have OUR voice in albany and another yid gets a decent salary for 4 years.
I think I actually spotted two black hats in these photos. Borsalino should be worried. It seems that the neighborhood guys dress a little differently these days.
the reason why they’re doing this, is because all those guys don’t have beards and reitport does.
they just don’t like guys with beards
show me a woman in CH who even has time to go vote.
Bored men souls.
Anyways a mixed bbq would hardly be appropriate.
Shea hecht has nothing with the Pac and so are most of the endorsements!
is it just me, or have these guys gained a lot of weight?
Let’s be honest, when was it last that a Jewish politician in crown heights did something for us, made us either spend less, or put some money back into our pockets? We need real change, we need to give tax breaks for those trying to contribute to society with median income, we need affordable housing for the big frum family, we need someone that when the dust sets in their photo up and they are elected, not to forget promises and commencements, the PAC has never done anything for our community, so should I just do what the PAC say,… Read more »
That they throw their fellow neighbor under the bus. Let’s not kid ourselves. The winner of this election will barely matter to our own pockets or day to day lives. But the betrayal will no doubt hurt a yid, even if he ends up winning anyways. Not to mention that the Raitport family supported so many Mosdos and to stab his child in the back by endorsing his opponent, is truly low.
1. A Lubavitcher chossid is running. period
2. We have to deal with the here and now, Reb’ Mendy is the candidate – elect him, and deal with if he can win again later!
3. I’m not saying either side represents all of the coomunity, a PAC or some group of youths, however when a brother is running, give him the chance!
We finally have a chance to show that our vote matters and these people have to ruin it all by splitting the vote! Fools this will get us nowhere! Vote for Raitport!
yacov you do great work but chanina said retiport so reitport it is!
We must support the canidate who shares our values mendy is the only one who does! Even non jews who share our values are supporting him look at the pictures. I am sure all families both jewish and non jewish who stand for traditional values will support mendy who exclusively stands for traditional values!
Doesn’t the religious community know that women got the right to vote almost a hundred years ago?
Why are all these events geared to men? Do the candidates think that frum women vote for whomever their husbands tell them to? Not the case.
You think people care about which candidate supports Israel? who are you kidding? schools? Half the people don’t pay tuition anyway. That is the reason we have the kind of education we have. Volunteer establishments that babysit the kids on a good day. There are actual REAL issues that the ch community faces, but noone wants to talk about those. so most of us won’t be bothering to vote tomorrow.
Go back to where you came from. By us the Rebbe runs the show. Send a Chossid to Albany!!!!
Verr zenen di shventz???? Finally the Rabanim and mashpi’im agreed on one thing, that we should try to get one of us in there, kumen di “yungelayt” un shtitzen an tzveytter. Who are they and since when is it a free for all in the Rebbes shchunah??? and to all the arguments, that Menachem cant get in, or its only a year and he cant get re-elected, so then he wont! At least we have a chance for once and as you write, its only for a year. Nekste yar kenstu arein shikken der neksta anti semit. But for now,… Read more »
BS”D I 2nd # 9
can anyone tell me what these guys have ever done/ accomplished for the community other than attend countless food photo ops. if egos were votes these guys could get Raitport elected President of the USA
Raitport won’t lose because 200 young guys didn’t vote for him. He’ll lose because all of his fans who are criticizing Behrman won’t bother themselves to go vote. Past that anyone who thinks 1800 votes is enough for him to win is WRONG. Raitport needs at least 2200 to come close.
Its so nice to see the younger crowds mingling for politics and caring about the communities. Just a friendly reminder that women can vote and should have informative/casual get togethers about who to vote for and why. A vote is a vote
Thanks to Mendy Raitport, all of the busy and important people in NY politics are finding a need to come “handel” with Crown Heights’ Jewish Community. Hopefully, something good will come out of this political recognition. For this alone, Mendy deserves to be blessed.
Just curious why only men were invited to this event. Aren’t there young women in the community whose voice matter?
bunch of idiots, chanifah with no brains.
reitport is our guy in this race anyone voting for the others has no idea how to conduct a political race.
Sent from my iPhone Mendey Reitport Sent from my iPhone Mendey Reitport if he gets 1800 votes he can win – I think this is possible. Also, he is the only one running on a democratic ticket, this gives him an advantage. Finally, the African American community will very possibly be split as who to vote for, giving him again a greater chance if the Jewish community were to uniteAlso, even if he doesn’t win, the African American politicians and government officials are looking at this carefully to see how many votes we represent. Every single vote counts! We need… Read more »
it is my humble opinion, that Obama’s negative attitude towards Israel has helped Israel more than any president since1948. Because, by being so openly against Israel Israel has been forced to come out strong, against the wishes and the will of the President of the United States of America. The Rebbe said many times; All Yisrael needs to do is be strong, in the end the world will see that America needs Yisrael more than Yisrael needs America. Right now we are seeing that so clearly. (that said, I must admit, that I am a little bit concerned about Hillary… Read more »
BS”D TRAITORS you do not speak for us only the pac does, go to Williamsburg where you belong. What is an activist a self appointed title that gives one a say
Just for the party worth coming
Ruvi
Good to see you
Berman, when will you open all the great parties to us simple folk. Forget the dumb politics. The meat looks really great
Nice to c u
I was never a big fan of reitport, but at a time like that when all the democrats represent Obama, it is the duty of every Jew in crown heights to vote for him just to show that we account for something