Brooklyn, NY – With 100 percent of the votes counted in the Brooklyn’s 5th Judicial District as reported by WNYC, Brooklyn lawyer Ruchie Freier has become the first Chasidic woman judge in the New York State Supreme Court.
Mrs. Freier, founder of Ezras Nashim, an all women’s volunteer ambulance corps serving portions of Brooklyn, handily beat opponents Mordechai Avigdor and Jill Epstein in the race for the civil judge position for the seat formerly held by Noach Dear, capturing 41 percent of the vote. She was trailed by Epstein with 35.2 percent and Avigdor with 23.6 of the vote.
Mrs. Freier won the endorsement of the Daily News and also the Jewish Press who hailed her as a role model for Orthodox Jewish young women and girls.
“I am absolutely honored and thrilled to have the opportunity to make a kiddush Hashem,” the 51 year old Mrs. Freier told VIN News.
Dave Schwartz ran unopposed in the race for Democratic district leader in the 48th Assembly District.
Schwartz was hand-picked by for the position by Assemblyman Dov Hikind who has served as minority leader for over a decade. Hikind praised Schwartz, his communications assistant, for his youthful energy and enthusiasm.
“We celebrated a great victory tonight,” said Hikind. “One of the things Duvy brings to the table is hundreds of young people. I think it is absolutely wonderful.”
The eyes of many a city dweller were turned northward tonight as members of New York City’s Orthodox Jewish community have been monitoring pivotal primary results in the Hudson Valley, with several important races held today.
NBC News has declared incumbent Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee the winner in the 97th Assembly District, easily beating back a challenge from Airmont planning board member Thomas Gulla by a margin of 30 percentage points, despite having been roundly criticized after her remarks on the Assembly floor in June 2015 stating that private school parents in the East Ramapo School District may have been ineligible to vote in school board election.
In the complicated four way race in the 98th Assembly District, incumbent Karl Brabenec survived a challenge from John Allegro, winning with 58 percent of the vote, while Chasidic Rockland County Legislator Aron Wieder beat Krystal Serrano in the Democratic primary with 60 percent of the vote. Wieder will also be running on the Independent line in November, after walloping Brabenec by 64 percentage points.
“I thank each and every single one of you for your support,” tweeted Wieder tonight after the final results came in. “Onward to November.”
As reported by Vos Iz Neias