Psst, There’s An Important NY Election In August

An expected very low turnout makes votes for pro-Israel candidates that much more critical.

Choosing to vote is the best way to effect change on the dismal political climate. Aug. 23 is the date to remember.

One of the best-kept secrets in New York these days is that a key primary election is taking place Aug. 23 (with early voting Aug. 13-21). Registered Democrats and Republicans will be voting in the primaries for the U.S. House of Representatives and the State Senate. 

(Under a new ruling, voters can opt to cast their ballots in the other party’s election by requesting an affidavit to change their party enrollment for this election. See how here.),

The chosen date seems guaranteed to result in a dismally low turnout. It takes place in the dog days of August, a time when many families are out of town on vacation, post-camp and before school starts. And that could be problematic for pro-Israel Democratic candidates.

That’s because progressive candidates, a number of whom are highly critical of Israel, have waged aggressive campaigns and made significant inroads in recent elections. And they stand to benefit from the kind of election malaise that keeps many less-engaged citizens home from the polls. 

The New York Solidarity Network (NYSN), a new membership organization “promoting pro-Israel leadership and combating anti-Semitism” in New York, is focusing on the State Senate election and recommending support for five candidates. (See the column I wrote on why I joined NYSN here.) 

Those being supported are incumbents Sen. Joseph Addabbo Jr. (State District 15), a Queens native who served on the New York City Council for seven years before being elected to the State Senate in 2008; Sen. Kevin Parker (State District 21), a lifelong resident of Brooklyn who chairs the committee on energy and telecommunications in Albany; and challengers Miguelina Camilo (State District 33), a member of AIPAC and president of the Bronx Women’s Bar Association who has served on the New York City Board of Elections; Nathalla Fernandez (State District 34), a Bronx native who served in the executive chamber of government as Bronx regional representative for Gov. Andrew Cuomo;  and Elizabeth Crowley (State District 59), a former City Council member from Queens, and single mom focusing on helping working families. 

Each of these candidates has a solid reputation of accomplishment on a range of social issues and shown support for Israel and the Jewish community in addition to voicing opposition to anti-Semitism. And while most legislation on the state level deals with domestic issues, the fact is that the political pipeline leading to seats in the U.S. Congress and Senate run through state office positions. So it’s worth paying attention to who holds those positions and ensuring the best results.

Several of the leading opponents of the five NYSN-recommended candidates have been endorsed by Jewish Vote, a group which, despite its name, is associated with the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), committed to reducing American support for Israel.

Many of us, frustrated and deeply worried about the direction of America’s politics and social fabric, ask what we can do to make a difference. Well, here’s our chance. The upcoming election is a time to act.