We, of the Ruth Mullen Riverdale Huddle, were deeply offended by the Democratic Team – 81st A.D. mailer, as community members, voters, and activists who care about truth and decency in political discourse in our community. The mailer violated both principles and revealed the brand of leadership that (Assemblyman) Jeff Dinowitz (A.D. 81) and his slate have and will provide.

 

The candidates of the “Dinowitz team,” particularly Ben Jackson, had said that they don’t want to dwell on the past, but want to focus on the future. Yet their mailer distorted the past, was untruthful, and continued its history of groundlessly accusing its opponents of using antisemitic tropes and being opposed to public safety – in an effort to frighten voters into supporting them. Accusing an opponent of “antisemitic tropes” also is divisive to the Jewish community and the broader community. It must be condemned. 

 

In contrast, District Leaders Abigail Martin and Ramdat Singh shared the values of the Northwest Bronx and kept their promises to open politics to new ideas and new ways of engaging voters. And the truth is that they have led The Unity Democratic Club in successfully campaigning since its inception – on behalf of Democratic candidates including U.S. President Joe Biden, Democratic Congressman Pat Ryan (NY-18), and Anthony Parisi, the (latter) the first-ever Democrat elected as Dutchess County DA. They also strongly supported public safety by advocating for investment in community resources as means of decreasing crime.

The significant amount of money that was spent in support of the Benjamin Franklin Reform Democratic Club challengers did not confuse us into supporting entrenched officials who are closing their ranks to beat a new power base and new ideas that will help all the communities in the 81st Assembly District.

Ruth Mullen Riverdale Huddle (Sue Ellen Dodell, Ellen Chapnick, Dale Wolff, Judith Minkoff-Grey, Julie Marcus, Annemarie Golden, Helen Krim, Jean Bresler, Madeline Ritter, Morgan Evers, Elizabeth Cooke-Levy)

 

Editor’s Note: Norwood News has reached out to the Benjamin Franklin Democratic Reform Club and Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) and Councilman Eric Dinowitz (C.D. 11) for comment. The councilman and assemblyman have endorsed the Benjamin Franklin Democratic Reform Club slate of candidates. We will publish any feedback we receive. Read a separate related story here and a separate related op-ed here. 

 

Election Day is Tuesday, June 25, and polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. To find your polling site, as well as additional information on the election and candidates, visit the New York City Board of Elections website at: www.vote.nyc/elections.