Editorial: A candid look at the special election

The special election is on September 13, less than a month away. How ideal are the candidates seeking to represent us? In the 27th State Assembly District, a likable local Orthodox activist with government experience is finding himself weighed down by less than likable support. Democrat Michael Simanowitz appears to be leading a fine campaign, introducing himself to voters around the district. Initially he had an easy time, as he was the only one running. Enter Republican Marco DeSena, 30, a College Point resident who teaches at Baruch College; and independent Justin Wax Jacobs, 22, a SUNY Albany student living in Briarwood.

A bright young talent with student government and internship experience, Jacobs contacted his former City Councilman Morton Povman about becoming the Democratic nominee for the seat. Not only did Povman refuse to grant him an interview, but also he flatly told Jacobs that the party line would go to Simanowitz as he was “entitled to the position.”

Undeterred, Jacobs collected more than 1,600 signatures to get onto the ballot. Democratic Party lawyer Frank Bolz searched for missing items on Jacobs’ petition, and successfully argued for his ouster from the ballot. Without a lawyer to represent him, the kid stood no chance.

This is not the first time that the Queens County Democratic Organization has used its weight to bounce insurgent candidates from the ballot. Central Queens is in desperate need for democracy. Mayersohn was first elected in 1982, before Jacobs was born and when DeSena was only an infant. For seven of her past reelections, she ran unopposed. This would have been the year for voters in Kew Gardens Hills to vote in a truly competitive election.

Without a doubt, Simanowitz has the experience and talent to represent the community, but if he truly believes in government being a tool for the greater good, he must distance himself from his party’s bosses, those who have given him the candidacy, while denying others the ability to run.

In Far Rockaway, 23rd State Assembly District candidate Phil Goldfeder is demonstrating an ability to reach beyond his Orthodox base. While early editorials in The Jewish Home spoke of his ability to turn out the Orthodox vote, Goldfeder understands that he would be representing a much larger constituency, and is pounding the pavement beyond the eruv, knocking on doors in Broad Channel and Rockaway Park, and opening up his campaign office in historically Italian Howard Beach. Goldfeder’s efforts to reach beyond his birthplace neighborhood demonstrate an understanding of leadership as a uniting tool of diverse communities.

But his Republican opponent Jane Deacy must still fight on. Even with most of the local yeshiva administrators, synagogue board members and rabbis standing behind Goldfeder, she should still visit the day school classrooms and speak at the pulpits. Deacy should be welcomed, regardless of how the Jewish community will ultimately vote. We should give all candidates a fair chance to be heard.