HASID ENTERS THE POLITICAL WORLD

Hasid to seek Yassky's Council seat
BY NANCIE L. KATZ DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Wednesday, February 13th 2008, 4:00 AM
A Williamsburg community activist who would be the first Hasidic Jew on the City Council if elected has decided to run for David Yassky's seat.
Isaac Abraham, a hardware store owner and tenants advocate, said he is responding to "very strong" pressure from friends, colleagues and community residents to seek the post Yassky must vacate in 2009 due to term limits.

"I honestly feel I have watched this community grow and be deprived of most of the services it should have gotten," said Abraham. "There are problems that should be addressed. Letters from elected officials say, 'We're looking into the matter.' That will not happen on my watch. If I win, I will make sure they are addressed and responded to and acted upon."

Abraham is the fourth candidate to announce plans to run for Yassky's seat. Evan Thies, a former Yassky staffer who is running for the seat, declined comment.
Jo Anne Simon, a lawyer and Democratic district leader from Boerum Hill, was out of the country and could not be reached. Steve Levin, chief of staff for Assemblyman and Borough Democratic Party chief Vito Lopez, could not be reached.

Yassky is running for city controller.
Besides Williamsburg, the 33rd Council District includes of Park Slope, Greenpoint, DUMBO, Cobble Hill, Brooklyn Heights and Boerum Hill.

Political consultant Hank Sheinkopf said it's too early to analyze whether Abraham has a chance of becoming the first Hasidic councilman. "The district includes Williamsburg but also has other diverse parts of the county," he said. "Twenty months out, he's a great candidate....Will the Hasids as a bloc vote for him?"

Sheinkopf said Abraham had at best "a 50-50" chance of taking the seat.
"He is not likely to win as a Hasidic candidate. He needs other portions of the population. It's a nice idea, but his presence will prove what little power they have," he said.
nkatz@nydailynews.com