It’s Jew vs. Jew In Long Island Congressional Race

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By Juliana Kaplan June 27, 2018

Businessman Perry Gershon beat a crowded field to secure the Democratic nomination for New York’s 1st Congressional District and face off against Jewish Republican incumbent Lee Zeldin in November, Patch reports.

Zeldin, one of two Jewish Republicans in the House, ran unopposed in the GOP primary. Gershon fended off four competitors to nab the Democratic primary, with a reportedly well-funded run.

“Tonight’s victory shows Suffolk County is energized and ready for change. A year ago, I decided to run for Congress because I was fed up with career politicians, like our own congressman, Lee Zeldin, who put special interests and partisan politics ahead of people,” Gershon said in a statement, according to Patch.

Gershon stressed a liberal agenda in his campaign, focusing on infrastructure investment, job creation, women’s health care and accessible health care, and protecting Social Security and Medicare.

The two face a tough race in November; The Cook Political Report ranks the ultimate race as “likely Republican.” However, there are liberal strongholds, and the district voted twice for Barack Obama before swinging Trump in 2016.

“Congrats to Park Avenue Perry on buying his way into a general election. It’s amazing that the Democratic Party was so desperate that they nominated a liberal Manhattan Democrat who has never even voted here in a November election for Congress,” a press release from Zeldin’s office said.

Juliana Kaplan is a news intern at The Forward. Email her at [email protected] or follow her on Twitter, @julianamkaplan

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