09/16/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/16/2024 07:57
Jewish Americans make up nearly 14% of New York's Fourth Congressional district
New reporting in The Forward reveals that vulnerable New York Republican Anthony D'Esposito's campaign sent out a mailer with "blatantly antisemitic imagery of Jewish billionaire George Sorors pouring money" over NY-04 Democratic nominee Laura Gillen's head.
In response, Gillen and Nassau County Jewish residents called on D'Esposito to apologize for propping up dangerous tropes in the midst of heightened antisemitism in New York and across the country.
After The Forward published the report, D'Esposito doubled down on the appalling imagery.
DCCC Spokesperson Ellie Dougherty:
"Anthony D'Esposito's refusal to condemn his antisemitic campaign materials sent to Jewish residents of New York's Fourth Congressional District is irresponsible, dangerous, and further proves he's completely out of touch with the needs of his constituents."
The Forward: 'Antisemitic' invocation of Soros showering Democrat with dollars roils pivotal New York House race
Jacob Kornbluh | September 12, 2024
KEY POINTS:
A campaign mailer supporting a Long Island Republican in danger of losing his House seat targets his opponent by invoking what she is calling blatantly antisemitic imagery of Jewish billionaire George Soros pouring cash over her head. Soros has not given money to Gillen's campaign, but his son and daughter-in-law have given $6,600.
Democrat Laura Gillen, and some Jewish residents of the Nassau County district, accused Rep. Anthony D'Esposito of spreading "treacherous propaganda" and demanded an immediate apology.
"D'Esposito cannot claim to care about combating antisemitism while airing out the same conspiracies that fuel antisemitic violence," Gillen, who is not Jewish, said in a statement.
The New York State GOP confirmed that it paid for the mailer through its financial arm, the New York Republican federal campaign committee. A spokesperson for the D'Esposito campaign didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
David Laska, a spokesperson for the NY GOP, said they stand behind the mailer. "The Soros family pays the legal fees of antisemitic campus radicals who have made common cause with Hamas, and they're also paying Laura Gillen," he said." Laska added that Gillen should apologize for taking money from someone who makes life less safe for Jewish students."
Jews make up an estimated 13.7% of its electorate.