NEW YORK — Democrat Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney, who is frantically struggling to win a tough race, is trying to persuade Chassidim to vote for him.
Maloney, a top Democrat House leader, is essentially trying to pump $94 million in federal funding into Kiryas Yoel.
In a letter obtained by The Washington Times, Maloney asked NY state officials to forgive the Satmar community’s debt for a huge water project.
The letter urged the New York Health Department to use funds from the Biden infrastructure law to forgive the debt incurred for a $94 million water project.
Maloney is currently engaged in a heated battle against Republican Mike Lawler in NY-17. Lawler has been a close friend of the Jewish community in Monsey.
Maloney chairs the House Democrats’ campaign operation, which would make a loss particularly humiliating.
Kiryas Yoel could deliver roughly 10,000 votes in Tuesday’s elections. The Satmar Rebbe, Rav Aharon Teitelbaum, has already endorsed Governor Hochul.
The town is completing a 13.5-mile pipeline project to connect itself to New York City’s Catskill Aqueduct for a long-term water supply.
“Their project is extremely important to the residents of the Village and has the potential to help multiple communities in the region better access reliable drinking water,” the letter said. “We ask for your firm commitment that New York State will give full and fair consideration of these requests which will expand access to clean and reliable drinking water in the Hudson Valley.”
The NY-17 race is so crucial to the Democrats, even President Biden has stepped in for assistance. About two weeks ago, President Biden personally called the Skverer Rebbe and asked him for the support of his chasidim in the coming midterm elections, specifically for Sean Patrick Maloney.
As reported by VINnews