Republicans May End Up Losing from Storobin Win

In an interesting twist that I also had in mind, Colin Campbell is deferring from the NY Post's opinion that a Storobin win spells trouble for the democrats in November. Instead, he found democrats who see a silver lining in it, because it makes harder for an Orthodox candidate to face off Storobin in September in a republican primary, since Russians are more likely to be registered republicans than their Orthodox neighbors. Instead, Orthodox candidates who planned to run on the republican line may choose to oppose Storobin as democrats in the general election, thus returning that seat to the democratic column.

One of the possible candidates is Simcha Felder, whom the republicans reportedly tried to draft. He was yesterday honored by the Shomrim, in one of the rare public sightings of him since he went to work for Comptroller Liu. This may have to do with his plans for November. or with his boss’ troubles, that toned down his majestic leadership style and finally made him recognize that he will not be the next mayor. Felder may well decide to skip a possible primary defeat, and instead oppose Storobin as a democrat.

This theory doesn't contradict my prior piece, that Storobin would rather have been a care-taker then Fidler. That theory was centered on the idea that Fidler will pull off an easy victory. It's much different now, where even if he wins with the absentees, he is badly bruised and weakened, especially after his dismal showing in the Orthodox neighborhoods that will make up the center of the Super-Jewish district. For their long term prospects, it may be better for the republicans a weakened Fidler than an emboldened Storobin, who will not step down for an Orthodox candidate.

BTW, R' Nachman Caller already announced that he will not oppose Storobin should he win. Caller is an incumbent drop-outer. Few gave him any real chances, despite him hiring a seasoned Jewish political consultant, Michael Fragin.

In unrelated news, Santorun has another prominent Jewish backer. Yochanan Donn, the Hamodia Editor, in his personal capacity (even in his the paper he merely expresses personal views), is supporting Santorum, he told the Forward.

And the Wall Street Journal ran a piece about New Domino. It is reporting about a lawsuit by a partner, and about the future of the affordable housing commitment. It's interesting if the project's failure will be made a campaign issue against its prominent supporter, Nydia Velazquez, by Erik Dilan who is close to Vito Lopez, an outspoken opponent of the project.

Simcha Felder at the Ribbon Cutting for the new BP Shomrim command center

For notification of new posts, follow me @opundit.