As Republican and Conservative candidate Bob Turner begins his campaign for the Congress seat vacated by Anthony Weiner, Senator Charles Schumer has backed the Democratic candidate, Queens Assemblyman David Weprin.
At his first campaign press conference in Forest Hills, Queens, Turner stood by campaign signs dating back to his previous congressional run. The businessman earned about 40 percent of the vote running against Weiner last year.
Turner did not mention by name his Democratic opponent, Queens Democratic Assemblyman David Weprin, but he said that he would bring practicality and political acumen to Washington, D.C.
“The country is headed down the wrong course. As I walk around this neighborhood and talk with friends and acquaintances, I see the continuing problem — the lack of hope that our direction can be fixed and fixed easily,” said Turner. “There’s a crisis of leadership.”
Meanwhile, Senator Charles Schumer announced he is backing Weprin, the Democratic Party leaders’ pick in the special election.
Sources tell NY1 that Weprin has the backing of the Independence Party, which supported Weiner last year.
Schumer said Weprin is a good choice for the job.
“I’ve know David Weprin for a long time. I’ve worked with him in the City Council and in the Assembly and I think he’s a very good, strong candidate. And having served in Congress in 18 years, I think he’d make an outstanding Congress member,” said Schumer.
The winner of the special election will serve the 9th Congressional District, which covers parts of Queens and Brooklyn, for the remainder of Weiner’s congressional term.
(Source: NY1)
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5 Responses
If a Republican were competitive in that district, it would have profound implications for local, state and national politics. Of course, so would Eliyahu showing up in Boro Park, which is probably more likely.
“Birds of a feather, flock together.”
Has Turner been selected yet by the Republicans. The Queens Republicans were trying to install a different candidate.
Last week Turner endorsed the Ryan budget plan that would end Medicare and replace it with a voucher system, not unlike Obamacare. But today he hedged. One might have thought that he would have formed a definite opinion on the signature Republican program of the year before he decided to run.
Turner also said last week that sex scandals were characteristic of liberalism. I didn’t know that David Vitter, John Ensign, Larry Craig, Chris Lee, and Vito Fosella were liberals. (Alternatively, if he does think that they are liberals, Turner is the most extreme right wing candidate ever to run in New York City.)