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Primary smackdown!

Steven Cymbrowitz vs. Ben Akselrod

What was first considered a gentleman’s campaign has been anything but. Akselrod has attacked the six-term legislator on a number of fronts, but Cymbrowitz refuses to bite back.

Steve Cymbrowitz

• Won the assembly seat in 2000 following the death of his wife, Assemblywoman Lena Cymbrowitz.

• Chair of the Environmental Conservation Committee’s Shoreline Protection Subcommittee.

• Age 58, married.

Ben Akselrod

• Immigrated to the United States from Russia at the age of 18.

• Former Community Board 15 District Manager. Currently a manager at a nursing home.

• Age 39, married, five children.

The campaign

• Akselrod accused Cymbrowtiz of being a debate dodger after the pol decided to attend a Russian movie event instead of discussing the issues with his challenger.

• Akselrod called out Cymbrowitz for not taking a side on the controversial Voorhies Avenue mosque, even though the house of worship is not in the legislator’s district.

• Cymbrowitz prides himself as “The only secular Jew in New York City who votes in favor of yeshivas and against immorality” — the “immorality” being gay marriage, which the legislator oppossed.

Reach reporter Colin MIxson at cmixson@cnglocal.com or by calling (718) 260-4514.