Establishment for Simcha; Dear is Floating Name; Bennet is Out

Updated below, Sunday 3:20PM.

The political establishment is coalescing around Simcha Felder's candidacy. Councilman David Greenfield already declared his full support, and Assemblyman Dov Hikind is expected to do so Motzei Shabbos. Reminder: Establishment support may be a liability, but Simcha's strength and likability will outweigh it. Hikind cites Simcha's position as his Chief of Staff, but the fact is that the two had a bitter fallout since than, and Simcha made no secret of his disdain to Hikind.

Felder reportedly indicated that he will caucus with democrats but if he will be able to swing the leadership he will vote for republicans for Skelos as majority leader. OP has learned that State Senator Gianaris, leader of the State Senate Democratic campaign committee actively try to recruit other candidates for weeks, working under the assumption that Felder is committed to the republicans. According to sources, he afterwards succeeded, through intermediaries, to convince Felder to run as a democrat.

Former Councilman and Judge Noach Dear is also floating his name as possible candidate. Dear also reportedly burned telephone lines after Felder's resignation trying to jump into the race. It wouldn't be surprising if he will hang up again on a possible run.

Also, sources told OP that Cheskel Bennet is not a candidate and is adamant that he never intended to go to Albany, contrary to the rumors that he planned to run for the seat.

UPDATE: Storobin told City & State that he will definitely run in super-Jewish. He points to the large segment of Russian voters in parts of the district and the strong support he received from the Orthodox, who are in favor of his conservative positions. He also welcomes Simcha to the race, and hopes that it will not turn personal.

There are conflicting reports about Nachman Caller staying or dropping out from the race. And the grassroots is reportedly pushing back against Skelos' support for Felder (they presumably want to recruit a strong Orthodox republican candidate to defy the establishment once again.)

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