WASHINGTON, October 18 (RIA Novosti) – The battle to represent Brooklyn’s “Little Odessa” on the New York City Council has taken a new twist as a local Russian-American media magnate has launched an election bid three weeks before the vote, The New York Observer has reported.
“I’m running because I can win,” Gregory Davidzon told the Observer after announcing his bid Thursday for the seat representing New York’s heavily Russian-Jewish 48th district. “I will spend as much money as I need to.”
However Davidzon, who owns a local Russian-language radio station and magazine, told the Observer he is not himself registered to vote and the article, quoting unnames sources, suggested that his actual goal was to split the vote to help defeat David Storobin, the Russian-born Republican candidate.
But Davidzon, described as a “kingmaker” in local politics, said he wanted to make the election of a Russian-American more likely: “I am supported by Republicans, I am supported by Democrats. I am trying to make history. If I knew for sure Storobin would win, I would probably never run.”
The election has already proved bitterly contentious, with one Soviet-born Democratic candidate alleging that he was smeared as a former KGB agent in a dirty tricks campaign.
