GOP Candidate Accuses Rival of Funding 'Anti-Israel Politicians'

A Republican candidate for the New York State Assembly has launched a sharp attack against his Democratic opponent, accusing her of financially supporting politicians who oppose Israel. The race is in a district with a significant Jewish population.

David Hassid, the Republican contender, and the Nassau County GOP have distributed mailers and released a video ad targeting his opponent, Kim Keiserman. The campaign materials highlight Keiserman's past donations: $1,000 to Georgia Democratic Senator Raphael Warnock and $500 to Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.

An advertisement circulating on social media states, "If you care about Israel and the U.S., you need to know Assembly candidate Kim Keiserman bankrolled the campaigns of anti-Israel candidates." The ad features images of protesters burning Israeli and American flags.

Keiserman's donations to Warnock occurred in August 2022, and to Talarico in October 2025. The campaign materials claim Warnock voted to block aid to Israel and that Talarico pledged to do the same. The ad concludes by advocating for Hassid as the better choice to support Israel and the U.S.

The mailers are more direct, asserting, "Why did Kim Keiserman bankroll an antisemitic politician? It’s true." The pieces refer to a 2018 sermon by Warnock, where he criticized the Israeli Defense Forces for shooting "unarmed Palestinian sisters and brothers."

Hassid, whose campaign states he is the son of Iranian Jewish refugees who fled persecution, said the choice in the 16th Assembly District race is clear. "My opponent has put her personal finances behind politicians who have actively worked against the State of Israel – in word and in deed," Hassid stated. "As the son of parents who escaped religious persecution in Iran, I will never stand with the forces of anti-Semitism and anti-Israelism. I will be a voice in the fight against anti-Semitism and all forms of hate."

The winner of this election will succeed Republican Assemblyman Daniel Norber, who is not seeking re-election. The 16th Assembly District includes several towns and villages in Nassau County, such as Great Neck, Port Washington, and Williston Park.

Keiserman's campaign dismissed the attacks as a "smear campaign" designed to distract from Republican policies. "David Hassid has zero experience, no record, and no plan to bring down higher costs that have arisen from the policies he supports," Keiserman said in a statement. "So his handlers are spreading lies to cover for an empty suit."

She added, "I’ve spent my career fighting bigotry and I’ve long stood with Long Island’s Jewish community against antisemitism and hate. In this time of surging antisemitism and hate crimes, exploiting their fears for political gain is disgraceful." Keiserman also noted that Hassid has avoided debates.

Nassau County Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs echoed Keiserman's sentiment, calling the GOP's actions a "smear campaign." He suggested Republicans are avoiding discussion of their own record and policies, such as tariffs that he claims have increased prices. Jacobs described Keiserman and other Democratic candidates as "common sense Democrats."