Scheuer Told He Will Lose Jewish Votes from Those Fearing Anti-semitism

A Jewish mayoral candidate was startled yesterday by the intense preoccupation of some Jews with manifestations of anti-Semitism which causes them to view the prospect of a Jewish mayor of New York City with alarm. Rep. James H. Scheuer, a Democrat who declared his candidacy for Mayor last year, was warned that he would lose votes in the Jewish community because of fear that the election of a Jewish mayor would increase anti-Semitism in the city.

The warning was voiced by a young male student who was part of the audience addressed by Rep. Scheuer at Stern College, the women’s division of Yeshiva University. Mr. Scheuer said he was “shocked at the suggestion” when the young man said he knew of many who feared that dissatisfaction with the performance of a Jewish mayor would lead others to “vent their anger on Jews.” Rep. Scheuer claimed he was not seeking office as a Jew and later he expressed regret at “the failure of the white Christian community to speak out against black anti-Semitism.”