NEW YORK, June 25 — David Orkin, a Jewish anti-Zionist attorney and democratic socialist, has defeated incumbent New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar in Tuesday’s Democratic primary. The scene is set in State Assembly District 38, which includes parts of Queens, with Orkin winning the seat. Orkin, an immigrant workers’ rights attorney and union organizer, received 58.8% of the vote, while Rajkumar, who has represented the district since 2021, received 40.9%.
By nightfall, Jewish Voice for Peace Action was celebrating Orkin’s win on Instagram, writing “Pro-Palestine candidates are sweeping in NYC tonight” and “Palestine was on the ballot and won.” The post echoed a message Orkin had highlighted throughout his campaign, with Orkin stating “It’s so incredibly meaningful to me to be running this race as an anti-Zionist Jew, to be one of the few anti-Zionist Jewish voices that is in an elected seat in the state government.” Orkin’s victory came amid a strong night for some democratic socialist candidates across New York City.
Orkin was not endorsed by certain groups, but his win is notable nonetheless. On the ground, the district covers a swath of Queens, including parts of Ridgewood, Glendale, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, and Richmond Hill. Residents describe the area as diverse, with a range of communities and interests.
Orkin’s campaign had emphasized his commitment to Palestinian freedom, with him stating that “criticizing Israel for genocide, demanding an end to the occupation, demanding an end to funding war abroad is not antisemitic.” As the news of Orkin’s win spreads, attention will turn to what this means for the district and the state legislature. Orkin’s campaign had highlighted his desire to be a champion for Palestinian freedom in Albany, and his win will likely be closely watched by those interested in the issue.
Looking ahead, it remains to be seen how Orkin’s victory will impact the district and the state legislature. One thing is certain, however: Orkin’s win marks a significant shift in the representation of State Assembly District 38.
