BROOKLYN – State Sen. Simcha Felder has overwhelmingly won the special election for New York City Council, securing 81.7% of the vote with 98% of scanners reported by Tuesday night. The veteran lawmaker will return to the Council seat vacated by Assembly Member Kalman Yeger, representing the largely Orthodox Jewish Borough Park district.
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Felder, a conservative Democrat, ran on a self-styled “Simcha” ballot line in the nonpartisan race, while his opponent, Republican activist Heshy Tischler, ran under a “Team Trump” banner. Tischler, a staunch supporter of Donald Trump and a controversial figure known for his involvement in anti-lockdown protests during the COVID-19 pandemic, failed to gain significant traction, reflecting the district’s preference for experience over ideology.
Despite low turnout—fewer than 700 early voters and approximately 5,500 total ballots counted by Tuesday night—Felder’s victory reinforces his longstanding political foothold in the district. Having previously served two terms on the City Council before moving to the state Senate, Felder’s name recognition and track record proved decisive.
While Felder has distanced himself from Trump-aligned politics, he has not always been in lockstep with Democrats. During the 2010s, he caucused with Senate Republicans, giving them a slim majority, before eventually realigning with the Democratic leadership.
The results suggest that Orthodox Jewish voters in Brooklyn remain focused on local representation rather than national political branding. While Tischler’s candidacy sought to harness Trump’s influence, it was Felder’s deep-rooted ties to the community that ultimately carried the race.
This article says only good things about both candidtates.
So -happy for Mr. Felder’s victory in today’s election. Hopefully he will continue to be a good shaliach for Yidden in his constituency. What we truly need is a politician/advocate not only for the ‘klal’ in general, but for an individual, as myself, who is currently experiencing tremendous difficulty accessing a ‘public official, in our community who can help me resolve a technical issue with the Department of Finance, (property taxes). The stress, anxiety and agmas nefesh in not being able to find the ‘right’ office/official to help with this is beyond comprehension and reprehensible to a ‘senior’ who has lived in BP and paid taxes non-stop, for so many years. Where is a bit of help when it is needed??? Beyond belief . I am hopeful that Mr. Felder will be a good shaliach when I will tomorrow, bezrsH’m, reach out to his office.
I was hoping Simcha would run for Mayor. City councilman is nice. But NY needs a decent mayor much more than it needs a councilman.
Heshy reminds me Alfred stasson who ran for president 9 times and was always rejected
Felder won.
Simcha Felder started out in hikinds office
Heshy where r u?
We need fresh advocates. I think it’s time to give Heshy our vote. We need help in our community
We need someone who will make some noise.
Heshy should have won!
Felder stole the election! Lots of illegals voted.