Why Is An Obscure UES Race Drawing Thousands From Big-Name Spenders?

UPPER EAST SIDE, NY — A typically sleepy state committee race on the ballot in Yorkville has been racked by accusations of "astroturfing" after two candidates with prominent backing entered the race at the last minute.

Two self-identified progressives running for a pair of open seats in the 76th District — Jeremy Berman and Erica Vladimer — are raising questions about a combined $24,100 that has flowed in recent weeks to their opponents, including a hefty donation from the chair of the New York State Democratic Party.

"It’s so discouraging when the leadership of my own party is spending $24,000 against me," Berman told Patch.

By law, the state committee is made up of one male and female from each of New York's Assembly districts, who vote on state-level matters for the Democratic Party — for example, nominating candidates for office. In the 76th District, covering Yorkville, Lenox Hill and Roosevelt Island, Berman and Vladimer announced their campaigns early this year.

Having long been active in neighborhood politics, Berman and Vladimer won the backing of some prominent elected officials, as well as both of the district's Democratic clubs. (Including one where both had previously been board members.)

Both have also been publicly critical of Jay Jacobs, chair of the state party, having knocked him for supporting ex-Gov. Andrew Cuomo and opposing left-wing insurgent candidates. (Jacobs, as chair, is elected by the state committee.)

Then, in late March, just weeks before the deadline for candidates to submit residents' signatures to get on the ballot, two new challengers jumped into the race: Marc Jonas Block and Joyce Short, both Roosevelt Island residents. ("We have very little time!" Short wrote in a blog post announcing her run.)

"We were all shocked when we found out that they were running, because Jeremy and I are running with community support," said Vladimer. Both she and Berman said they had little awareness of either Block or Short before they joined the race.

Last week, a required campaign finance disclosure included another surprise: both Block and Short had received almost identical sums of money from the same six big-name donors.

Those names included Jay Jacobs; the real estate developer David S. Mack; and the shopping center magnate Milton Cooper. Each of those men's wives also contributed identical sums as their husbands — about $2,000 each.

Those donations totaled $12,100 for Short and $12,000 for Block — significant sums for a state committee race. The donors' addresses were all based in New Jersey or Long Island, with no reported donations from within the district.

Berman and Vladimer, meanwhile, have raised a combined $7,565, with an average donation of about $112. About one-third of their donations came from Upper East Side residents.

"Kind of egocentric"

Allies of Berman and Vladimer have decried the influx of spending, accusing Block and Short of being "astroturf candidates" running at Jacobs's behest. Both Mack and Cooper have donated thousands over the years to Long Island Democrats backed by Jacobs, who also leads the Nassau County Democratic Party. (Mack and Cooper have also both contributed to Republicans.)

Reached for comment by Patch, however, both candidates strongly denied that charge.

"I joined the race because I wanted to make a difference," said Block, an attorney specializing in intellectual property. "I think it’s kind of egocentric to assume that the only reason I’m running is because someone else is running."

Block was reluctant to discuss details about his fundraising, but said he had never met or spoken to Jay Jacobs. Jacobs's donations to his campaign related to his having raised money for candidates in the past, Block said.

As for Mack and Cooper, Block would not discuss his relationship with either man, saying it was not "any of your business" — though he alluded to his work as an attorney.

"I have support in the community," Block said. Asked to name specific people or groups supporting his campaign, he declined.

Short — a realtor, tennis coach and advocate against sexual assault — told Patch that she and Block had solicited money from various donors and "got a very positive result."

"He’s the head of the party, for goodness' sakes," Short said of Jacobs. "I think that really says all that needs to be said about our fundraising."

"I have literally thousands of kids that have grown up through my programs. We get a tremendous amount of recognition and a tremendous amount of support," she added. "If my opponents did the same or had the kind of background or support that I have, maybe they’d have the kind of funding that I have."

Jay Jacobs did not respond to an email requesting comment. No contact information was readily available for Milton and Shirley Cooper, or David and Sondra Mack.

In any case, the donations have fostered a mix of cynicism and determination for the candidates now being outspent.

"It makes me that much more excited to win this race," Vladimer said.

Early voting has begun for the June primary election, which includes the New York gubernatorial race, State Assembly, and other local offices. Find your pollsite and view a sample ballot here.