D.C. Republicans to Grimm: Stay in Staten Island
Source: Politico
House GOP leaders want no part of the former congressman a year removed from of prison and pursuing his old seat.
By RACHAEL BADE and JOHN BRESNAHAN 10/12/2017 05:04 AM EDT
House Republicans have a message for ex-congressman and convicted felon Michael Grimm: Stay home.
The disgraced former New York congressman, who served seven months in federal prison for tax evasion, wants to reclaim his old Staten Island seat, declaring a primary challenge against his successor, GOP Rep. Dan Donovan. The faceoff, which Republicans believe could be a real nail-biter, will pit an ex-con against a prosecutor — with both men trying to paint themselves as the true Trumpian candidate in the race.
Michael Caputo, a former campaign aide to Donald Trump, is helping advise Grimm’s campaign. Grimm has also sought and received a blessing from Steve Bannon, the conservative hard-liner and former top Trump strategist. Grimm even changed his Twitter handle to "@RealMGrimm,” an apparent nod to @realDonaldTrump.
But senior House Republicans want nothing to do with Grimm. They worry the man who once threatened to throw a reporter off a balcony, and brandished a gun during a nightclub altercation with his lady companion’s estranged husband, will be a major distraction to their legislative agenda. Grimm could also provide Democrats with ample fodder to flip the swing district.
Read more: http://www.politico.com/story/2017/10/12/grimm-republicans-congress-staten-island-243687
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