The Russian Forward learned from several reliable sources that two Russian-Jewish immigrants are going to challenge each other this year for the position of the male Democratic leader of the 46th New York State Assembly district. The incumbent Mark Davidovich will be opposed by Anatoly Eyzenberg.
The 46th district includes part of Brighton Beach, Coney Island, Seagate, Luna Park, Trump Village, Warbasse, Dicker Heights and Bay Ridge. Tens of thousands of Russian-Jewish immigrants live in this area. The party district leader has the right to appoint polling site inspectors in his/her district during primaries and general elections, to participate in the elections of his/her party leaders in Brooklyn, to influence the process of judicial candidates’ nomination and to create party clubs. Although the Democratic Party district leader is a volunteer position, it is very important in liberal Brooklyn, where Democrats outnumber Republicans 14 to one.
In September 2002, Mark Davidovich, co-owner of Seaside, a popular Brighton car-service, was elected Democratic leader with 2,000 votes, defeating his Italian rival. Anatoly Eyzenberg, the owner of Brighton King Meat Store, is a well-known community activist and a philanthropist. Last year, he participated in a race for the City Council, challenging councilman Domenic Recchia. Eyzenberg did not make it to the primaries; his name was thrown out of the ballot after several court hearings. He does not conceal his intention to take revenge in 2005.
But for now, Eyzenberg wants to participate in another race: he wants to be the Democratic Party district leader. Eyzenberg and Davidovich are both members PRAVO, a young Russian-American political organization, their businesses are located not far from one another, and they participate together in many important community events.
The Russian Forward interviewed both rivals and asked them the same questions: “Are you going to fight to the bitter end? Why?”
Anatoly Eyzenberg: “Some months ago, several groups of Russian-speaking voters, who are disappointed with Mark Davidovich’s work, asked me to challenge him. They think that Davidovich did not fulfill the needs of our community. For example, during last year’s elections many Russian-speaking inspectors were either left without work or sent to Manhattan and Queens, while the majority of Russian-speaking voters live in Brooklyn. Russian-speaking voters and inspectors faced serious problems during the primaries, and the district leader did not offer them any help. He did not take any part in my electoral campaign, besides formally announcing at my first press conference in the Deribas Restaurant that he endorsed me. The process of gathering signatures under petitions also went on without Davidovich.
“I do not have any personal complaint against Mark. I have known him for several years as an honest, intelligent, conscientious person. But he is not efficient as a party district leader. I have talked with him about this earlier. Considering the opinions of the voters who requested that I challenge Mark and fight for his position, one can conclude that the incumbent’s work does not satisfy the politically active residents of our district.
“I am ready to participate in the debates. I also want to remind you that I am not spending my time and energy looking for a high salary – the district leader is a volunteer. I do not regard my intentions as dangerous, and I do not think they will provoke a feud in our community. On the contrary, our community will be the better for it. If the current Democratic Party district leader gives us an account of his work, it will become obvious that our community has only one serious candidate for this position: Anatoly Eyzenberg.”
Mark Davidovich: “In 2002, our community had a great success: a first-generation Russian-speaking immigrant was elected Democratic Party leader of the 46th Assembly district. I think that we have grown up as a community and are ready to participate in other races like for the City Council and the State Assembly. But some people’s personal ambitions may ruin everything; they may cause feuds and conflicts in our community. I will fight for my reelection and I hope my voters are not disappointed in my work and in me. The feud between two Russian-speaking candidates may result in the election of a candidate from another ethnic group.”
On Feb. 1, approximately 60 Russian-speaking activists and polling site inspectors gathered at the Paris Café in Brighton to discuss the forthcoming race between Davidovich and Eisenberg. The majority of them criticized Davidovich’s work and praised Eyzenberg, who thanked them and promised to justify their trust.
On Feb. 3, in an article that appeared in Novoe Russkoe Slovo (the New Russian Word), journalist Vadim Yarmolinetz wrote of yet another Russian-speaking immigrant, who works in assemblywoman Adele Cohen’s office, who was going to participate in the same race. The Russian Forward contacted Michael Treybich, the only Russian-speaking employee in Cohen’s office, and learned that he had not even considered running. Moreover, he was very surprised by the information.
“Nobody called me from that newspaper, so I can’t confirm or disprove anything” said Treybich, adding that, for now, his main goal is to continue his studies. Treybich, a student of Buffalo University, is a major in psychology and in environment protection. Asked about Eyzenberg and Davidovich and their strengths and weaknesses, Treybich said that he couldn’t judge them, since he does not know them personally.
The Russian Forward also contacted Dilia Schack, the female Democratic leader of the 46th Assembly district. She emphasized that she is going to support Mark Davidovich, whom she regards as an honest, intelligent person, who always keeps his word, is not indifferent to the community’s problems, and is a real gentlemen. Schack’s husband, Arthur Schack, was elected to the New York State Supreme Justice last year, and Mark Davidovich endorsed his candidacy.
