Skip To Content
JEWISH. INDEPENDENT. NONPROFIT.
Fast Forward

Special election: Two Orthodox candidates face off in a close race for NY Assembly

Lee Zeldin, the GOP gubernatorial nominee, last year won in the predominantly Democratic district

Republicans are hoping for an upset in Queens on Tuesday in a state Assembly race that pits two Orthodox candidates against each other.

There is precedent for a GOP ousting of a Democrat in heavily-Democratic Queens.

Twelve years ago a little-known Republican businessman, Bob Turner, beat an Orthodox Democrat by tapping into voter discontent with then-President Barack Obama.

In this week’s contest, Republicans are trying to mobilize their base by capitalizing on dissatisfaction with the way Democrats have handled immigration and other issues.

“How cool would it be for the Democrats to be waking up Wednesday morning and saying, ‘Holy schnitzel!’” former Congressman Lee Zeldin said during a get-out-the-vote rally on Sunday for the Republican candidate, David Hirsch, outside “Holy Schnitzel,” a kosher take-out joint.

A Democratic stronghold … for now

The 27th Assembly District, which includes most of the Central Queens’ Jewish community, including the neighborhoods of Key Garden Hills and College Point, has historically been held by Democrats. Registered Democrats outnumber registered Republicans 4-1. The seat was vacated this spring by Democrat Daniel Rosenthal, one of the youngest and most influential Jewish politicians in the state, who left for a top job at the UJA-Federation of New York.

The Democratic nominee in Tuesday’s election, Sam Berger, a 25-year-old law school graduate, was handpicked by local leaders, and top Democratic officials have mobilized to support him. 

Republican David Hirsch, left, and Democrat Sam Berger, right, candidates in the Sept. 12 special election for the open seat in New York State’s 27th Assembly District. Courtesy of the campaigns of David Hirsch and Sam Berger

But Republicans have made some gains in the district in recent years. Zeldin, the Republican gubernatorial nominee in last year’s election, carried the district by 12 points over Gov. Kathy Hochul. Rosenthal still won reelection despite his public backing of Hochul. But given current concerns about New York’s mounting migrant crisis, with Republican governors sending thousands of asylum seekers to New York, the GOP is predicting an opening for a Republican. Low turnout may also boost Hirsch.

Both candidates are Orthodox and courted the more conservative Orthodox electorate, and competed for the endorsements of prominent rabbis.

Democrats’ closing arguments

In an interview, Berger presented himself as a moderate, like his predecessor, who would be a “voice of reason” in the Democratic-controlled state legislature at a time of extreme polarization on both sides of the political spectrum. The Jewish Press, a New York conservative-leaning news outlet, endorsed Berger, writing that “it is in the best interests of our community to avoid a ‘go down with the ship’ attitude and blindly vote Republican.”

Berger has argued that a Republican win in the Assembly — where Democrats hold 100 of its 150 seats — would potentially weaken his party’s ability to counter the more progressive elements within it on issues such as Israel. He pointed to the broad repudiation of a bill that would penalize New York-based nonprofits that support activities in Israeli settlements — a move led by Rosenthal earlier this year.

“It wasn’t a Republican who was able to fight the bill,” Berger said. “It was a moderate Democrat.” 

“We deserve an Assemblyman who will not only stand up for public safety and common-sense policing, but who can make the connections to deliver the results we need,” read a letter signed by prominent rabbis and leaders.

Berger expressed cautious optimism that he would prevail. He’s received union support and he outraised and outspent his opponent by an 18-1 margin. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has reportedly reached out to leaders in the Orthodox community to support Berger’s campaign. “I’m feeling very positive about it,” Berger said. “But I will not take anything for granted.”

The GOP’s case

Hirsch, 34, whose experience is in policy consulting and political engagement, in a separate interview took issue with Berger’s analysis of the backlash to the settlements bill, arguing that the opposition of all 49 GOP members to it ensured its demise. In general, he argued, a Republican in the seat would benefit the district.

“I think actually, as a member of the minority party, flipping a district would actually give me more influence,” he said. “It would show the Democrats that they need to work towards helping this district rather than it being represented by another rank-and-file Democrat whom they can ignore.”

“I am feeling very comfortable,” Hirsch said of his chances.

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

Republish This Story

Please read before republishing

We’re happy to make this story available to republish for free, unless it originated with JTA, Haaretz or another publication (as indicated on the article) and as long as you follow our guidelines. You must credit the Forward, retain our pixel and preserve our canonical link in Google search.  See our full guidelines for more information, and this guide for detail about canonical URLs.

To republish, copy the HTML by clicking on the yellow button to the right; it includes our tracking pixel, all paragraph styles and hyperlinks, the author byline and credit to the Forward. It does not include images; to avoid copyright violations, you must add them manually, following our guidelines. Please email us at [email protected], subject line “republish,” with any questions or to let us know what stories you’re picking up.

We don't support Internet Explorer

Please use Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge to view this site.