http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/story/364066p-310036c.html
Felder, Hikind winners for backing Mike
BY HUGH SON
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER
Two Brooklyn Democratic leaders who endorsed Mayor Bloomberg stand to directly benefit from his landslide reelection victory this week.
Councilman Simcha Felder (D-Borough Park) is poised to take a job in the Bloomberg administration, leaving a vacant seat that Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Midwood) is considering running for.
"I certainly plan to finish my current term," Felder told the Daily News in a brief statement, "and I look forward in the future to continue working with the mayor in whatever capacity that may be."
The former tax auditor wouldn't reveal what his new post in the Republican mayor's office will be, but it could start as early as January, according to Felder's spokeswoman.
While Hikind said it was too early to talk of running for a vacant Felder seat, he said he was waiting to see what unfolded.
"If the opportunity presents itself, I would certainly consider it," Hikind said, adding that a "huge part" of his Assembly district overlaps with Felder's Council district.
Hikind - popular in his district of Borough Park, Kensington and Midwood - would be heavily favored to win Felder's Council seat in a special election.
And if Hikind gave up his Assembly seat, Gov. Pataki would have to set a special election to fill that post.
Despite the backlash some Democratic politicians experienced for endorsing Bloomberg during his campaign, Felder is unlikely to lose popularity for joining Team Bloomberg, experts said.
"If for no other reason except for the talent pool that exists in New York, Bloomberg staffed his first administration, and presumably his second, with a large number of Democrats," said political consultant Bob Liff.