Exclusive | NYC, comptroller frontrunner backed by MAGA supporter after he campaigns that he will take on Donald Trump
City comptroller frontrunner Mark Levine cozied up to a Big Apple MAGA supporter and election denier while locking down the Jewish bloc — after the Democrat campaigned that he would “take on Donald Trump.”Incumbent Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine recently accepted the endorsement of Victoria Zirkiev, a self-proclaimed Trump supporter, and touted the backing in a photo on his Instagram while meeting with a Jewish Charity last week.“Today our community welcomed @marklevinenyc the Manhattan Boro President who is running for NYC Comptroller.It’s important to vote for the right mayor but it’s also important to elect the right people for the other positions in NY,” she said, issuing her endorsement.
Levine’s pal has posted many times in support of the current president, including selfies in a Trump 2024 hat, and wrote, in a since-deleted story, Zirkiev suggested the 2020 election was stolen, according to the Times of Israel.“Can you guess who I voted for? Only TRUMP!” reads one of Zirkiev’s posts.Zirkiev serves as the president of the women’s division of Queens-based nonprofit, Chazaq.The campaign brushed off the endorsement as simply a photo from the campaign trail, taken with leaders of a group that receives some of its funding from the City Council.“This is absurd – Mark Levine has been standing up to Trump for over a decade and as Comptroller will be New York’s firewall against his fascism,” said campaign manager Matt Rubin.
“Suggesting anything more is campaign non-sense and insulting to Jewish communities across the city that are facing real challenges and threats.”Levine’s camp has since removed the photo from his Instagram.The group distanced itself from the public support, telling The Post, “The Chazaq organisation does not endorse anyone.”Zirkiev could not be reached for comment.
The photo emerged in the final days of the comptroller race for the Democratic nomination, while one of the main issues has bee...