Crown Heights United has endorsed Gov. Kathy Hochul, Assemblymember Brian Cunningham, state Sen. Zellnor Myrie, Attorney General Letitia James and state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli for re-election, outlining the group's political priorities ahead of New York's upcoming election, according to Crown Heights.Info.
The endorsements were announced Sunday, Oct. 19, as Republican gubernatorial nominee Bruce Blakeman seeks to unseat Hochul. Crown Heights United cited Hochul's support for Israel following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attacks and New York's participation in a federal scholarship tax credit program that the group hopes will help reduce yeshiva tuition costs.
Cunningham was recognized for his responsiveness to community needs, while Myrie received support for another Senate term. James was cited for her relationship with the Jewish community and efforts to combat antisemitism. DiNapoli's endorsement was linked to his position on investments in Israel, including Israel Bonds.
The announcement comes as voting patterns in Crown Heights highlight differences between some community organizations' endorsements and the choices of voters in recent elections. In 2024, Donald Trump received approximately 65 percent of the vote in an area identified as a major Orthodox Jewish voting bloc, according to Shtetl. Kamala Harris received approximately 70 percent of the vote across Brooklyn, according to Brooklyn Paper.
Crown Heights United says it has issued political endorsements since 2013 and brings together community advocates. The latest endorsement was initially circulated without published signatures, unlike earlier endorsements that listed individual supporters. An editor's note added after publication said the names of Rabbis Chanina Sperlin, Yaacov Behrman and Avi Lesches had been undersigned.
The endorsements add to an ongoing discussion about political representation in Crown Heights, where Republican support has grown in some Orthodox Jewish voting districts while local organizations continue to back Democratic candidates in state races. The Crown Heights Republican Committee has also worked to build support for Blakeman, including plans for a neighborhood visit and discussions about public safety and antisemitism.
The election will offer another opportunity to observe how community endorsements align with voter choices across Crown Heights.
