Simcha Felder: “I’m A Malcolm Smith Democrat” or what is going on in Brooklyn

November 28, 2011

...Following a series of campaign-finance irregularities, one of John Liu’s top advisers is reportedly jumping ship, though it supposedly has more to do with his own electoral ambitions than his boss’s sinking stock: According to the Daily News, Deputy Controller Simcha Felder is very seriously considering stepping down and crossing the aisle to run for state senate as a Republican...

Noreen Malone, www.nymag.com

June 2, 2008

Felder: “I’m A Malcolm Smith Democrat”

Brooklyn Councilman Simcha Felder confirmed this morning that he indeed plans to challenge Sen. Kevin Parker in September, but rejected Parker’s allegation that he is a Republican plant sent to foil the Democrats’ effort to take over the Senate.

“I’m a Malcolm Smith Democrat,” Felder insisted.

“I look forward to making sure that the Senate Democrats regain control of the Senate. I’ve always been a Democrat, and I’m going to continue to be a Democrat.”

“If the Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith understood that the mayor was the best candidate, then I would assume that that was the right thing,” Felder said.

Oct. 22, 2010

Malcolm A. Smith, a Democrat, has represented the 14th District in Queens in the New York State Senate since 2000.

Federal prosecutors are investigating a nonprofit group founded by Mr. Smith. They subpoenaed records in February 2010 from his office detailing funds he has directed to community groups over the last decade. Some of the group’s employees were also Mr. Smith’s aides in Albany.

In October, the state inspector general said Mr. Smith was one of two state senate leaders who showed favoritism to a troubled bidder on a casino project who was donating to Democratic candidates and had ties to key political figures. The findings have been referred to federal and state prosecutors and the Legislative Ethics Committee.

NY Times,

Should the Republican Party endorse Democrat Simcha Felder as their candidate for State Senate? He voted to raise our taxes 18%. He supported Nancy Pelosi, Christine Quinn and even Barack Obama. He publicly rejected the State Senate Republican leadership. Now, we should reject him. And as you will see, many Rabbis already do.