New York – Many local politicians were unhappy with the proposed legislative lines released by Albany’s redistricting task force, but Assemblyman Dov Hikind said the plans for the “Super Jewish” Senate District 17 are “absolutely wonderful.”

“If all this ends up being the case and this district stands I think it will be absolutely wonderful,” Mr. Hikind told The Politicker.

Along with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Mr. Hikind is one of New York’s most prominent Orthodox political leaders. The proposed Senate District 17 has been described as “Super Jewish” because it consolidates much of the Orthodox community in the Midwood neighborhood of Brooklyn.

“I’ve always felt and have said it publicly, that communities should be left intact,” Mr. Hikind said. “Communities that share philosophical goals and ideals should stay together. I think it’s absolutely great and I can tell you that people in these communities would be very, very happy to have this happen.”

Mr. Hikind’s enthusiasm for the District 17 proposal was shared by Orthodox advocacy group Agudath Israel.

“The district reflects the orthodox community’s interests. The lines reflect where the orthodox community lives and we believe that this is a very positive move in order to make sure that our voices are heard and that our issues are dealt with effectively,” Shmuel Lefkowitz, Agudath’s top lobbyist in Albany, told The Politicker.

Governor Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly vowed to veto any district lines drawn by the Legislature rather than through an independent process. Shortly after the new lines were released, the governor’s office described the redistricting proposals as “simply unacceptable” and said they “would be vetoed by the governor.”

In spite of the Governor’s opposition, Mr. Hikind is confident the proposed boundaries for Assembly districts will stand, though the Senate lines may face challenges.

“I think the Assembly lines will end up pretty much staying the way they are now,” Mr. Hikind said. “There might be a challenge to the whole thing, but I think the speaker and those who worked on it did a very good job being responsive to the needs of minorities, for example the two Asian districts.”