One of the most contentious election seasons in memory has finally come to a close with Kalman Yeger declaring victory in a bitter political rivalry that often turned ugly as members of the Jewish community took pot shots at each other.
Early election results showed Yeger holding a commanding lead over Yoni Hikind in the fight to become the next councilman representing the 44th District which includes Borough Park, Midwood, Kensington, Bensonhurst and parts of Sheepshead Bay.
With close to 70 percent of the votes counted, Yeger received more than 8,500 votes with Hikind pulling just over 4,000 votes. School Choice candidate Heshy Tischler trailed behind with just under 500 votes.
Taking to Twitter to congratulate his successor, City Councilman David Greenfield proclaimed that Yeger had won by a landslide, racking up wins in every neighborhood in the district.
Politico New York (http://politi.co/2yFrsgU ) described the rivalry between Yeger and Hikind as “the nastiest” City Council race of the season, noting it seemed to be more of a years-long battle between Assemblyman Dov Hikind and City Councilman David Greenfield than between the two candidates.
While the level of personal attacks in the fight for Greenfield’s Council seat seemed to hit below the belt, even for hopeful elected officials, a well known political consultant told CBS News (http://cbsloc.al/2yFxYEg) it is par for the course.
“This is usual politics for that part of Brooklyn,” said Hank Sheinkopf. “Everybody attacks everybody because the stakes are really high – in this case, who’s going to be the political boss of that part of Brooklyn.”
“Kalman Yeger’s election to the City Council will have a positive impact not only for the residents of the 44th district but for the entire Jewish community recognizing Kalman’s unique skill set to be an effective legislator and more importantly his ability to create close working relationships with his colleagues which is a pre-requisite to impact public policy as it effects the Jewish community,” said Ezra Friedlander, CEO of The Friedlander Group.
behrman is a force in CH to be recognized! mr sperlin better wake up!
The Frum world should be ashamed at the low tactics that were exhibited in this campaign. We are better than this. It did not go unnoticed in the secular press.
BS”D Berman when you gonna finally run for something
A real asset for our community
I had a run in with HIKIND and his arrogance knows no boundaries.
Happy his family is done and can be defeated !!! Happy Boro Park woke up to new leadership
Looking forward to great things from you!
A wonderful young man devoted to our community !
We don’t need another Hikind trying to run Jewish politics