Several of Rockland's largest Chassidic communities are backing Democrat Joe Rand, the mayor of Nyack, over Republican state Sen. Bill Weber in today's race for the 38th Senate District. Both Satmar communities in Monsey, Vizhnitz, Pupa, Belz, Munkatch and Skver in New Square have endorsed Rand, Matzav and Monsey Scoop report, and on Sunday a group of yeshiva administrators signed a letter for him too. Most of the same slates also back Republican Rep. Mike Lawler, along with Gov. Kathy Hochul and Assemblyman Aron Wieder.
Skver announced its endorsement on Oct. 19, during Hochul's visit to the Skverer Rebbe. Community leaders used the visit to thank the governor for her help with school funding, Rockland Daily reported. REPORTED: Monsey Scoop says Hochul asked for the Rand endorsement and leaders agreed on the spot.
The case for Rand is access. Rand's backers argue that a Democrat can get more done in a Senate the Democrats control, and Weber has spent four years in the Republican minority.
On the other side, 18 Rockland rabbonim signed a joint letter for Weber, Lawler and Republican Bruce Blakeman: "Our values are not for sale, and our community's future must never be reduced to a funding decision." Rabbi Ari Senter praised Weber for standing with the Jewish community, confronting antisemitism and defending Israel.
Weber flipped the seat in 2022 by 3,213 votes, with heavy Orthodox support, and held it in 2024 by 9,528, according to state results. A McLaughlin & Associates poll paid for by his campaign put him ahead of Rand 53% to 35%; a candidate's own poll is not proof of where the race stands. Polls in New York are open until 9 p.m. tonight.
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