‘Best of the Rest’ – Boro Park Voters Cast Ballots on Last Day of Early Voting

On the final day of early voting, Belaaz hit the streets of Boro Park to talk with Jewish voters.

The Boro Park Center nursing home on 10th Avenue and 49th Street was buzzing with voters, described by one voter as a “fantastic” scene with “thousands of people here.”

However, voters in the heavily Jewish neighborhood expressed hope and anxiety, with many casting ballots aimed at blocking one candidate in particular: Democratic Socialist Zohran Mamdani.

“I hope it’s going to be good, be’ezrat Hashem, good times to us,” said one voter. She added, “Let’s hope for the best; we did our hishtadlus.”

That effort, for several voters, translated into a reluctant choice. “I voted for Cuomo,” one man shared. When asked why, he was candid: “Not that he should be the best candidate, but the best of of the rest.”

The issue of antisemitism was front and center for one resident. When asked if he was worried about it, another voter replied, “You know, I’m Jewish, you’re Jewish. It’s bad, very bad.”

He predicted a dire outcome if Mamdani wins. “Going to be much worse,” the voter stated. “But he’s going to look away at all the crime. That’s what I think.” Another voter said he thought antisemitism wouldn’t necessarily increase should Mamdani win.

Another voter said a Mamdani mayorship would be a “disaster for New York City.”

“Definitely. So I’m going to vote for Cuomo,” he explained, “and I think that a vote for Sliwa would effectively be a vote for Mamdani.”

When asked why it would be “so terrible” if Mamdani wins, this voter laid out his concerns bluntly. “I think he makes promises he won’t be able to keep. I think he is an Islamist, Marxist, and I think he hates Israel.”

His conclusion about public safety was stark. Asked if he thought Jews would be safe under Mamdani, he replied, “No, definitely not. Definitely Jews will definitely not be safer if he wins.”

Not all were backing Como, however. One resident cast his ballot for Curtis Sliwa, citing party affiliation as his primary motivation. “Was it you have to vote for Curtis? Yeah,” he said. “How come? Why? Because he’s a Republican.”
But his choice was tinged with pessimism about the race’s outcome. “Yeah, but I know he’s going to lose,” he conceded, expressing frustration with the options.

A young boy who accompanied his father said:
“I feel good about elections.”
When asked why, his answer was simple: “Because you could vote!”
“What’s good about voting?” he was asked.
“You could do everything,” he replied. “You could choose who wants to be your mayor.”

Early voting is not available on Monday; election day is Tuesday.