Republican U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm won a third term in Congress on Tuesday despite a rocky year that included a federal indictment on tax evasion charges and being caught on camera threatening to throw a TV reporter off a balcony.

Grimm defeated Democratic challenger Domenic Recchia in the hotly contested fight for New York’s 11th Congressional District, which covers Staten Island and a part of Brooklyn.

“The bottom line, you had my back when I needed you most, and I’ll never forget it,” Grimm told supporters in his victory speech.

Grimm, 44, and the former New York City councilman faced off in combative debates, in which Grimm’s indictment was a running theme. Grimm insisted he could serve effectively while Recchia maintained he couldn’t.

Grimm’s “priority is going to be staying out of jail,” Recchia said at their last debate in October.

Grimm has pleaded not guilty to hiding more than $1 million in sales and wages while running a small Manhattan restaurant. His trial is set for February.

On Tuesday night, Grimm made a passing reference to the legal troubles facing him, saying, “I know I have to meet these challenges head on.”

In his campaign, Grimm highlighted the work he has done to help those impacted by Superstorm Sandy, efforts that have been appreciated by his constituents.

In January, Grimm was seen threatening to throw a TV reporter off a balcony after the journalist asked Grimm about an FBI probe into his campaign finances.

During their Oct. 28 debate, Grimm said he apologized for the incident but described himself as “tenacious.”

“If we want to get someone that’s passive and going to go along to get along then, sure, vote for my opponent,” Grimm said.

The race was considered one of the more competitive in the country. Recchia had gotten the support of the national Democratic Party, which had spent hundreds of thousands of dollars in the race.

(AP)