Brooklyn, NY – A Chasidic man from Borough Park is hoping to set two records as both the youngest and the first Chasidic man to be voted a Democratic district leader in Brooklyn.
Subscribe to our Daily Roundup Email
Assemblyman Dov Hikind has served as district leader for the Democratic party in the 48th Assembly District for more than a decade but is choosing to pass the baton to his communications assistant, 22 year old David Schwartz.
Schwartz is the only Democratic candidate in the September 13th election, although he could potentially face a challenge from a write-in candidate.
“I’m busier than ever in my own office and I thought it was time to give the opportunity to someone young and aggressive,” Hikind told VIN News. “Duvy is an extraordinary young man who is very active, very involved and is well known throughout the city.”
Each party has two district leaders in every district, one male and one female. The volunteer position offers no compensation and district leaders’ responsibilities include selecting the county’s party leader, vetting and endorsing judicial candidates, engaging the public in community affairs, representing their county of residence at the state’s political convention and endorsing candidates in local, city, state and national elections.
Schwartz, who grew up in Williamsburg and attended the United Talmudic Academy in Kiryas Joel, said that he was always been drawn to politics. At age 18 he became involved in his first political campaign, Lincoln Restler’s run for district leader in Williamsburg. At the time, Restler was in his mid to late twenties, a fact that made an impression on Schwartz.
“When I helped him in the election, I was amazed that such a young person was running,” recalled Schwartz. “I never thought I would beat that age.”
Schwartz has been working in Hikind’s office for the past year and a half was recently married. He hopes to use his age to his advantage as the district’s Democratic district leader and would like to encourage the younger generation to become more active in the political process.
“People get so excited about Trump and Hillary but local elections are so important and have a major effect on people’s lives,” said Schwartz. “I see how many young people are not even registered. I think it is time for everyone to get involved and see how they can make a difference.”
Democratic county leader Frank Seddio said that he looks forward to working with Schwartz in September.
“Passing this position on to the younger generation with vim, vigor and vitality is what makes us have a good, stable future,” said Seddio. “Having David join us as a leader in Brooklyn will be a great pleasure. He had a great mentor in Dov and will bring some new excitement to the district.”
I hope he has a good communication skills. Most KJ graduates can’t read English.
Hasidim creating a backroom deal with the corrupt Seddio, who would’ve thought?
Does this guy have a high school diploma?
College degree?
…and he’s expected to vett and endorse judicial candidates?
Don’t pay attention to the negative comments. Kol Hakavod. You have a tremendous zechus working for the klal. HATZLACHA!
Please don’t embarrass your fellow Yiddin. There’s not a single KJ graduate who can read past 5th grade.
Who are we kidding? Whether Schwartz knows English or not, is irrelevant. Dov will be his puppeteer.
Schwartz has made clear on his twitter page he is a progressive, thus he is not fit to even be a janitor for the Jewish community.
a Jewish progressive is like a Jewish communist