A Republican candidate for the New York State Assembly in a heavily Jewish Long Island district is accusing his Democratic opponent of financially supporting politicians he describes as hostile toward Israel.
David Hassid and the Nassau County Republican Party have launched the attack through campaign mailers and a social media advertisement targeting Kim Keiserman. The materials highlight her $1,000 contribution to Georgia Sen. Raphael Warnock and her $500 donation to Texas Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico.
“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 Nassau GOP advertisement states.
The ad features images of demonstrators burning Israeli and American flags.
Campaign records show that Keiserman gave money to Warnock in August 2022 and to Talarico in October 2025.
The advertisement alleges that Warnock voted against key aid for Israel and accuses Talarico of pledging to oppose assistance to the Jewish state.
It ends by presenting Hassid, who currently works as a legislative aide, as the candidate best positioned to defend Israel and the United States.
The Republican mailers take an even more aggressive tone, asking voters: “Why did Kim Keiserman bankroll an antisemitic politician? It’s true.”
The mailer labels Warnock antisemitic and points to a 2018 sermon in which he criticized Israeli forces over the shooting of what he called “unarmed Palestinian sisters and brothers.”
Hassid is the son of Iranian Jewish refugees who fled persecution during the country’s 1979 revolution.
SEE ALSO: Dad Levitated, Bled and Fell to His Death From Roller Coaster
His father reportedly escaped Iran on horseback that year. Hassid has said his family’s experience shaped his awareness of oppression and strengthened his determination to protect Jewish communities and Israel’s security.
“The choice in the race for the 16th Assembly District couldn’t be more stark,” Hassid said. “My opponent has put her personal finances behind politicians who have actively worked against the State of Israel – in word and in deed. 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 will succeed Republican Assemblyman Daniel Norber, who is not seeking another term in the 16th Assembly District.
The Nassau County district covers parts of North Hempstead and the villages of Great Neck, Great Neck Estates, Great Neck Plaza, Kings Point, Lake Success, Manorhaven, Plandome Manor and Saddle Rock. It also includes Manhasset, Port Washington, Searingtown and Williston Park.
Keiserman dismissed the attacks and predicted they would ultimately hurt Hassid’s campaign.
“David Hassid has zero experience, no record, and no plan to bring down higher costs that have arisen from the policies he supports. So his handlers are spreading lies to cover for an empty suit,” Keiserman said in a statement.
“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, a former teacher from Port Washington, said she has challenged Hassid to debate. She accused him of “hiding behind dishonest mailers because he has no ideas to defend and nothing to offer our communities.”
Nassau County Democratic Chairman Jay Jacobs called the Republican effort a “smear campaign” aimed at Keiserman and other Democratic candidates. He said the strategy was intended to divert attention from unpopular policies associated with President Trump, including tariffs that Democrats say have raised prices.
“It’s ridiculous. Kim Keiserman and the other candidates we’re running are common sense Democrats,” said Jacobs, who was recently re-elected chairman of the state Democratic Party.
“The Republicans don’t want to talk about their record because they can’t defend it.”