Bobov 45 Endorses Zeldin While Sol Wediger Bribes Hochul with $25,000

 

Key Hasidic groups are endorsing Republican Lee Zeldin (R-Suffolk) for governor over Gov. Kathy Hochul in the latest sign that the incumbent is struggling with historically Democratic constituencies ahead of the final day of voting on Nov. 8.

Support from the Brooklyn-based Bobov, Bobov-45, Belz and Satmar groups could lead to thousands of additional votes for Zeldin as he pushes for a historic upset next week in a state where a Republican has not been elected governor in a generation.

“The leaders have been very engaged. They want to fight the rise of violent anti semitism. They want to fight anti semitism on our streets, in our schools and in the halls of government. They care about yeshiva education,” Zeldin told The Post Tuesday.

The Long Island pol has campaigned hard on rising crime and inflation while also blasting state oversight of yeshivas amid a state crackdown and growing scrutiny of some schools where students are reportedly not getting educated enough in non-religious subjects.

“Albany has declared war on yeshiva education,” Zeldin claimed Tuesday.

A poll released last week by Slingshot strategies showed Hochul underperforming with several Democratic constituencies, including black voters and union households.

The Hochul campaign declined to comment Tuesday about the four Hasidic groups backing her opponent.

But campaign records show the embattled incumbent appears to have received a $25,000 donation on Oct. 25 from Solomon Werdiger, board chair at Agudath Israel, which supports Orthodox causes at the state level.

Both candidates have sought support from Orthodox groups in the increasingly tight race, with two polls released Tuesday showing Zeldin up by one point and Hochul leading by eight, with the race possibly coming down to who can mobilize supporters more.

Hochul has previously noted that she does not oversee yeshivas as governor – a job done by the State Education Department – while deflecting about whether she believes some schools are violating state laws aimed at making sure students learn secular topics like English and math.

“New York has zero tolerance for antisemitism. This community has been targeted for so many years and I will do everything in my power to protect you from evil and hate and will continue to fight for your right to practice your religion and teach your children with your religious education,” Hochul said in a Nov. 1 letter to Orthodox leaders.

“I ask you for your support and vote in this upcoming election and look forward to continuing to serve as your governor,” she added.

Orthodox Jews have historically voted for Democratic candidates, with state Attorney General Letitia James getting endorsed by the Bobov Tuesday alongside US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, state Sen. Simcha Felder (D- Boro Park) and Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D- Boro Park).

Hochul has previously noted that she does not oversee yeshivas as governor – a job done by the State Education Department – while deflecting about whether she believes some schools are violating state laws aimed at making sure students learn secular topics like English and math.

“New York has zero tolerance for antisemitism. This community has been targeted for so many years and I will do everything in my power to protect you from evil and hate and will continue to fight for your right to practice your religion and teach your children with your religious education,” Hochul said in a Nov. 1 letter to Orthodox leaders.

“I ask you for your support and vote in this upcoming election and look forward to continuing to serve as your governor,” she added.

Orthodox Jews have historically voted for Democratic candidates, with state Attorney General Letitia James getting endorsed by the Bobov Tuesday alongside US Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, state Sen. Simcha Felder (D- Boro Park) and Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein (D- Boro Park).