David Flaum To Head Republican Jewish Coalition

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David Flaum, a Rochester, N.Y.-based real estate developer with strong ties to outgoing governor and possible 2008 presidential contender George Pataki, has been named as the new national chairman of the Republican Jewish Coalition.

Flaum was elected to a two-year term earlier this week at a meeting of the RJC board of directors in Las Vegas, Nevada. He takes over from Sam Fox, the chairman and CEO of Harbour Group, Ltd., who has served as national chairman for the past six years.

One Republican insider described Flaum as a “canny operator,” who, like Fox, is likely to focus on fundraising.

“David Flaum takes over the organization at the height of its success, and we are confident that given David’s proven accomplishments and his past success as a leader, he will do a great job taking the organization to even higher levels,” said RJC Executive Director Matt Brooks in an interview with the Forward this afternoon.