NY Observer > Simcha Felder

Parker Gets U.F.T. Endorsement

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:22:48 -0400

The state’s fiscal crisis is being cited as one reason the United Federation of Teacher is endorsing Democratic State Senator Kevin Parker of Brooklyn, who is facing a three-way Democratic primary.

“Now, more than ever, we need leaders like Senator Parker,” Randi Weingarten, president of the union, said in a public statement. “With an economic crisis looming, it’s good to know that we have such a firm believer in public education representing us in Albany.”

In dealing with the state’s fiscal crisis, Governor David Paterson is urging spending reductions across the board, and has said no option is off the table. That means a reduction in education spending is possible and it's probably among the topics unions are discussing with lawmakers who seek an endorsement.

Parker is running against term-limited City Council members Simcha Felder and Kendall Stewart.

Kendall Stewart's New Slogan

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:08:08 -0400

A reader emailed this photo of a bus near Atlantic Avenue that bears an ad for City Councilman Kendall Stewart. Stewart is running for State Senate against incumbent Kevin Parker and another challenger, City Councilman Simcha Felder.

The slogan is, "Improving the Future of the Community."

Up until recently, Stewart was calling himself the "Million $ Man," a reference to how much money he brings into the district. Even then, it was a slightly off-key message, since two of his staffers has just been charged with pocketing money meant for the nonprofit they were supposedly running.

Parker, Felder Both to Speak at Brooklyn Breakfast

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:02:52 -0400

A legislative breakfast for a Brooklyn-based educational group, Shema Kolainu, on August 5 will be something of a who’s who of New York politicians.

Amusingly, attendees will hear both “remarks” from State Senator Kevin Parker, and “greetings” from one of the Democrats looking to unseat him, Simcha Felder.

The chairman of the event is possible mayoral candidate John Catsimatidis, whose company, Gristedes, is the sponsor.

(Honorary chair status is given to Chuck Schumer and Hillary Clinton, which may help sell a few more tickets.)

The event is paying tribute to, among others, Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, the State Senate minority leader, Malcolm Smith, comptroller candidate and City Councilman David Weprin, and City Councilman Bill de Blasio, who is also a candidate for Brooklyn borough president.

Kelly 'Deeply Flattered' By Mayoral Speculation

Katharine Jose — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:22:20 -0400

From superintern Bharat Ayyar:

Police Commissioner Ray Kelly was a guest on last night's Nachum Segal Show, which was hosted by Zalman "ZK" Koppel and Councilman Simcha Felder, who is also running for State Senate. When Felder brought up the recent Quinnipiac poll that showed Kelly was the most popular candidate for mayor (that is, aside from term-limited Michael Bloomberg), Kelly called the result "flattering," but said he was too focused on his job to think about a run for office.
Felder also brought some of his staff, who he said had all acquired a taste for Jewish music, along to the show. read more »

Stonewall Endorsements: Powell, Silver, Connor, Anderson

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:15:49 -0400

The Stonewall Democratic Club, one of the city's largest gay political clubs, held an endorsement meeting last night.

According to a club member, here is who the club is endorsing in a few key races:

-Challenger Kevin Powell over incumbent Representative Ed Towns

-Incumbent State Senator Marty Connor over insurgent Dan Squadron

-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver over his two challengers, Paul Newell and Luke Henry

-Incumbent State Senator Kevin Parker over challengers Kendall Stewart and Simcha Felder

-Manhattan Surrogate's Court candidate Nora Anderson

Parker Gets Union Support, No Questions Asked

Azi Paybarah — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:09:44 -0400

Kevin Parker, the state senator from Brooklyn facing two well-established primary challengers, just got the endorsement of the United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1500.

According to a statement from campaign spokesperson Ronnie Sykes, the union's decision wasn't a close one: “The union endorsed Senator Parker without conducting an interview. The decision was made based on the Senator’s strong history of support for working families.”

Running against Parker are term-limited City Council members Kendall Stewart and Simcha Felder, who has been on the wrong end of a preemptively exclusive screening process before.

In Florida, Bloomberg Defends Obama, Courts 'Condo-Commandos'

Azi Paybarah — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 06:39:11 -0400

Michael Bloomberg defended Barack Obama in a speech to Jewish voters in Florida this morning.

According to the Palm Beach Post, Bloomberg told an audience at an event organized by the Jewish Federation of South Palm Beach County not to believe the "online whisper campaign" against Obama.

Bloomberg's day in Florida -- he will be making three separate appearances -- has all the markings of a Kevin Sheekey project.

It's two days after a poll indicated Barack Obama is doing better than expected in that all-important battleground state, and, not insignificantly, as Bloomberg has been mentioned (for what that's worth) as a long-shot potential running mate for both major-party nominees. read more »

Collecting for Felder

Azi Paybarah — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:31:09 -0400

Here’s someone from the Simcha Felder campaign at Bedford and Nostrand, collecting signatures to put him on the ballot in the 21st State Senate district.

Felder on Race in the State Senate Contest

Azi Paybarah — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:51:09 -0400

The State Senate contest that Simcha Felder just decided to jump into bears some resemblance, at least on the surface, to the 2006 primary in Brooklyn's 11th congressional district in which Councilman David Yassky, who is Jewish, jumped into a field that included multiple black candidates. read more »

Felder Switches Focus From Comptroller's Race to State Senate Seat

Azi Paybarah — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 17:01:38 -0400

Councilman Simcha Felder is not getting into the city comptroller race, but he will run for the Brooklyn State Senate seat currently held by fellow Democrat Kevin Parker, according to a source. read more »