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Race to replace Grimm could be all about Bill de Blasio and Eric Garner Race to replace Grimm could be all about Bill de Blasio and Eric Garner
(about 4 hours later)
There's one headline to keep in mind as the jockeying begins to replace Michael Grimm (R), who is resigning his congressional seat, effective Monday:There's one headline to keep in mind as the jockeying begins to replace Michael Grimm (R), who is resigning his congressional seat, effective Monday:
Staten Island is home to a swing district at the presidential level, but that same district leans Republican in other races, and for the last several decades Democrats have not been able to make inroads, try as they might. The Republican bent of Staten Island (the district also includes a small part of Brooklyn) is why Grimm endlessly linked his last opponent to the New York City mayor -- a strategy that proved effective. After all, he won despite being under indictment.Staten Island is home to a swing district at the presidential level, but that same district leans Republican in other races, and for the last several decades Democrats have not been able to make inroads, try as they might. The Republican bent of Staten Island (the district also includes a small part of Brooklyn) is why Grimm endlessly linked his last opponent to the New York City mayor -- a strategy that proved effective. After all, he won despite being under indictment.
And it's why de Blasio -- as well as the Eric Garner case -- could be a big factor in the special election, which will come in the next months.And it's why de Blasio -- as well as the Eric Garner case -- could be a big factor in the special election, which will come in the next months.
This is the district, after all, where Garner was choked by a police officer and later died. It's also the rare part of New York City that doesn't really like the Democratic mayor, who has inflamed New York City police by appearing too sympathetic to the Garner protesters. A recent poll pegged de Blasio's approval on Staten Island at 25 percent, with 58 percent disapproving. City-wide, he was in positive territory, at 50 percent approval and 32 percent disapproval.This is the district, after all, where Garner was choked by a police officer and later died. It's also the rare part of New York City that doesn't really like the Democratic mayor, who has inflamed New York City police by appearing too sympathetic to the Garner protesters. A recent poll pegged de Blasio's approval on Staten Island at 25 percent, with 58 percent disapproving. City-wide, he was in positive territory, at 50 percent approval and 32 percent disapproval.
Another key data point (referenced above): de Blasio won his 2013 race by a whopping 49 points but still lost Staten Island to Republican Joe Lhota.Another key data point (referenced above): de Blasio won his 2013 race by a whopping 49 points but still lost Staten Island to Republican Joe Lhota.
The Staten Island Advance has a look at possible candidates, which notably includes Daniel Donovan, the special prosecutor in the Garner case who failed to secure an indictment against the police officer. Republican sources have called him the clear front-runner,  and he said in a statement that he is "very seriously considering the race." (There will not be a typical primary, as party leaders pick their nominee for the race instead.) The Staten Island Advance has a look at possible candidates, which notably includes Daniel Donovan, the Staten Island District Attorney who was involved in the Garner case and failed to secure an indictment against the police officer. Republican sources have called him the clear front-runner,  and he said in a statement that he is "very seriously considering the race." (There will not be a typical primary, as party leaders pick their nominee for the race instead.)
Additionally, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R) has said she is looking at the race. She has heavily criticized de Blasio's approach to the protests and the Garner case, issuing this statement after the assassinations of two New York police officers:Additionally, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R) has said she is looking at the race. She has heavily criticized de Blasio's approach to the protests and the Garner case, issuing this statement after the assassinations of two New York police officers:
I am horrified that two of our police officers were fatally shot today in Brooklyn. My heart breaks for their families, their NYPD family, and our entire city, which appears to have descended dangerously close to turmoil. It is well past the time for our mayor and citywide leaders to call for a return to order in our streets, and take a hard stance that that lawlessness and aggression towards police officers will not be tolerated. Extreme anti-police sentiment and public unruliness have been permitted to fester for far too long.I am horrified that two of our police officers were fatally shot today in Brooklyn. My heart breaks for their families, their NYPD family, and our entire city, which appears to have descended dangerously close to turmoil. It is well past the time for our mayor and citywide leaders to call for a return to order in our streets, and take a hard stance that that lawlessness and aggression towards police officers will not be tolerated. Extreme anti-police sentiment and public unruliness have been permitted to fester for far too long.
I am horrified that two of our police officers were fatally shot today in Brooklyn. My heart breaks for their families, their NYPD family, and our entire city, which appears to have descended dangerously close to turmoil. It is well past the time for our mayor and citywide leaders to call for a return to order in our streets, and take a hard stance that that lawlessness and aggression towards police officers will not be tolerated. Extreme anti-police sentiment and public unruliness have been permitted to fester for far too long.I am horrified that two of our police officers were fatally shot today in Brooklyn. My heart breaks for their families, their NYPD family, and our entire city, which appears to have descended dangerously close to turmoil. It is well past the time for our mayor and citywide leaders to call for a return to order in our streets, and take a hard stance that that lawlessness and aggression towards police officers will not be tolerated. Extreme anti-police sentiment and public unruliness have been permitted to fester for far too long.
The possible Democratic field is still taking shape, but is a bit weaker. Grimm's 2014 opponent, former New York city councilman Domenic Recchia, is on the shortlist, as are a few others. But Recchia was regarded as a pretty disastrous candidate last year. After all, he lost to a guy under indictment.The possible Democratic field is still taking shape, but is a bit weaker. Grimm's 2014 opponent, former New York city councilman Domenic Recchia, is on the shortlist, as are a few others. But Recchia was regarded as a pretty disastrous candidate last year. After all, he lost to a guy under indictment.
No matter who gets in on the Democratic side, though, they will probably hope that de Blasio and Garner aren't the focus of the campaign. That might be wishful thinking.No matter who gets in on the Democratic side, though, they will probably hope that de Blasio and Garner aren't the focus of the campaign. That might be wishful thinking.