Maya Kornberg, a Jewish Democrat in Brooklyn, launched a long-awaited campaign on Tuesday to challenge Shahana Hanif, a far-left New York City councilwoman who has faced backlash from Jewish constituents over her strident criticism of Israel amid accusations of insensitivity to reports of rising antisemitism.
“I’ve dedicated my career to making democracy work better,” Kornberg, who leads elections and government research at the Brennan Center for Justice at the NYU School of Law, said in a statement, vowing to focus on “standing up against hate, providing reliable constituent services, and delivering meaningful change for every resident in every corner of the district.”
The matchup sets the stage for what is expected to be a fiercely contested primary next June, pitting a pragmatic progressive who has been fundraising aggressively in recent months against an outspoken democratic socialist whose council district is home to one of the largest Jewish constituencies across the five boroughs.
As many left-leaning Democrats re-evaluate their messaging to voters following a rightward shift in New York City during the presidential contest last month, the upcoming council race could serve as a down-ballot test of whether Hanif’’s far-left positions and ties to anti-Israel groups will prove too extreme for liberal voters in the deeply progressive district.
For several months, Jewish leaders in the central Brooklyn district, which includes progressive Park Slope, have been anticipating Kornberg’s challenge, eager to back a new candidate who they believe will be more amenable to hearing their concerns about a surge in antisemitic activity sparked by Hamas’ Oct. 7 terror attacks, among other issues.
Kornberg, who declined to comment to Jewish Insider about her campaign, has previously expressed more measured comments on Israel, where she studied abroad while in college.
On her campaign site, Kornberg states
What are the key ideological differences between Shahana Hanif and Maya Kornberg?
## Brooklyn Battleground: Can Maya Kornberg Unseat Shahana Hanif?
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. Today, we’re diving into a hotly contested race shaping up in Brooklyn: the City Council District seat held by Shahana Hanif. Challenging Hanif is Maya Kornberg, a Jewish Democrat with a strong background in legal and political advocacy.
Joining me today to unpack this political showdown is local political analyst, Dr. Alex Reed. Dr. Alex Reed, thanks for being here.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** Shahana Hanif has been a controversial figure since taking office, and her sharp critiques of Israel have drawn significant backlash within the Jewish community. Can you elaborate on those tensions?
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. Hanif’s positions align with a more progressive, even democratic socialist, wing of the Democratic Party. Her stance on Israel aligns with that ideology, though many within the Jewish community view it as alienating and insensitive, particularly given growing concerns about antisemitism both nationally and locally.
**Host:** Enter Maya Kornberg. She’s positioning herself as a pragmatic progressive who can bridge the divide. What makes her a credible challenger?
**Alex Reed:** Kornberg has a compelling resume with her work at the Brennan Center for Justice, focusing on voting rights and election integrity. This background lends credibility to her stated commitment to ”making democracy work better” [[].
Plus, she’s already demonstrating fundraising prowess, a crucial element for a successful campaign [[].
**Host:** This race seems likely to be a clash of ideologies and potentially a referendum on Hanif’s approach to representing a diverse district. What can viewers expect to see in the coming months?
**Alex Reed:** I anticipate a very heated primary next June.
Expect to see Kornberg emphasizing her ability to bring people together and deliver tangible results for all constituents, regardless of their political leanings. Hanif, on the other hand, will likely lean into her more strident progressive identity and perceived authenticity. Ultimately, it will come down to which vision resonates more with the district’s voters.
**Host:** This is definitely a race to watch. Dr. Alex Reed, thank you for your insights.
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure.
