And Here Come the Challenges; Hikind Loses R Line? & More

After petitioning, now comes the challenges. I'm awaiting for official word from BoE, but meanwhile I have to rely on the accounts of the parties and their supporters.

Simcha Felder is challenging Abraham Tischler's signatures, but young Tischler is pusing back. One objector who claimed that he signed for Tischler thinking that he's signing for Felder, filed a retraction to that claim.  Tischler collected 3,100 signatures, 3 times the needed amount.

A source is telling me that the republican law chair, Gene Berardelli, withheld over 300 Republican signatures from Storobin. That source also points to the fact that Berardelli only withheld signatures of 3 Jewish candidates (note: all of their opponents are also Jewish, so religious bias can't be suspected). Jacob Kornbluh, meanwhile, is accusing Shia Ostereicher for signing up people unwittingly to object Storobin's petitions on behalf of Felder. Ostereicher was previously reported as a guy who was clearing the way for his favorite candidate. 

According to the tipster, Dov Hikind's bid to get on the republican line - as he often did before - failed. Others are telling that it is about to fail. My source claims that  Berardelli arranged challengers and withheld 75 signatures from Hikind.

Berardelli also shaved about 75 signatures from Jospeh Hayon, in his bid to oppose Helene Weinstein on the republican line, the above source is telling me. Hayon is telling me that he doesn't know how many Republican signatures were filed, but over 800 Republican signatures were collected, and he needed 455. Berardelli was mentioned as possible opponent to block Hayon from receiving the republican line.
 
Hayon's signatures for the independence party line are also challenged. He needed 67 signatures there, and collected 73. At least he's secured with the Conservative lines, where no one challenged him.

Talking of Hayon, his filing is hilarious. 0 contributions, and 50 cents expenses for BoE copies, and he's now .50 in the red. Hayon, though, is legendary for a huge votes to dollars ratio.

Nachman Caller, meanwhile, burned through $20,000 in his short-lived senate bid. $6,000 went to Moishe Friedman who subsequently volunteered his campaign assistance to Storobin.

And Simcha Felder hired E O'Briem Murray - the mastermind of Bob Turner's upset victory - to manege his campaign, following a pattern of trying to line up all victorious forces to ensure a victory.

And Dov Hikind enjoys an over $1.1 million dollar campaign chest, and spent over $60,000 last month, mainly for charitable donations.

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