Ahron Gluck, a local Jewish activist who announced this week his candidacy for Assembly District 43 for Crown Heights and East Flatbush, has released on social media his first campaign video, thanking the community for their support.

Gluck said his campaign will focus on neighborhood safety, support for Yeshivas, opposition to Homeless shelters, and stronger communication between elected officials and residents in Crown Heights and East Flatbush.

Gluck criticized current leadership over issues including the siting of homeless shelters, transportation proposals such as protected bike lanes on Kingston and Brooklyn Avenues, the proposed Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) New York City bus route on Albany Ave, which would gridlock the neighborhood, and broader community concerns affecting locals.

Gluck said the campaign will also prioritize coalition-building between Jewish and African American neighbors and increasing voter participation from those who want change, ahead of the June 23 Democratic primary, when turnout in the district and the city at large is historically at its lowest point when there are no popular statewide or national primaries.

A Crown Heights resident who davens in Anshei Lubavitch and lives near the proposed mega homeless shelters on Albany Ave stated:

“If the Homeless shelter gets built, it will split and completely separate Crown Heights and East Flatbush. Nobody will take the risk and danger of walking past a development, with its entrance on Albany Ave housing 1,100 rooms of former incarcerated emotionally disturbed individuals, the East Flatbush Jewish community will be completely isolated.

In order to vote in this Democratic primary election for Ahron Gluck, which takes place during this year’s June primary, one must register to vote as a Democrat.

There are currently nearly 5,000 local Lubavitchers who are not registered to vote, including many voter-eligible older working bocherim and girls who grew up on Shlichos and other anash communities throughout America, but currently live in Crown Heights and have worked in NYC for the past several years. 

This election is estimated to be one of the closest races in the history of this district. When you hear the term that every vote counts, this election will be just that. In the past, many Crown Heights residents registered but didn’t choose “Democrat,” which locked them out from voting in the primary. It’s crucial to register under the Democratic Party, so you would be allowed to vote

https://e-register.vote.nyc

“This isn’t just an election; this race will be a factor if Crown Heights stays the same or if Crown Heights can thrive. If our community ends at Rutland Road due to the shelters, or if Crown Heights can continue expanding more south,” the resident said.