Assemblywoman Bows Out of Race for Michael Grimm's Congressional Seat


  • By: NY1 News
  • Updated 7:48 PM



The Republican field has been cleared for the Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan to run for congress. On Monday, a potential GOP rival backed away from a potential run. NY1’s Courtney Gross filed the following report.

It did not take long for Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan to clear out his Republican competition.

"I think it's very important that we stand united behind the Republican nominee because we don't want to lose this seat.

We want to make sure we have what we have what is the only conservative voice in Washington from New York City. And so with that, I decided to end the exploration,” said Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis.

His only possible rival for the GOP nomination in a special election to replace Rep. Michael Grimm bowed out of the race on Monday. Malliotakis's announcement came two days after the district attorney secured the backing of the borough's Republican Party.

It means Donovan now only has to worry about the Democratic ticket, where the field has not yet been settled.

"The process is still playing itself out. We don't know when the special election is scheduled for. The governor has not done that yet,” said Assemblyman Michael Cusick of Staten Island.

True, the special election has not yet been called. It’s a decision that rests with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

Nonetheless, Donovan clearly has a head start and even this partisan Democrat had relatively good things to say about him.

"In my previous personal work with the district attorney it’s been respectful and professional for sure. And I think if he does prevail he will certainly be an improvement over his predecessor,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Even his potential Democratic opponent did not jump to criticize the DA for his role in Eric Garner case.

It was Donovan's office that failed to secure an indictment of the police officer who put Eric Garner in a chokehold.

"That's something that I think the DA will have to talk to the constituents during the campaign about,” said Cusick.

Others also say the case won't be a liability. Chairman of the state Conservative Party Michael Long told NY1 Donovan is nearly guaranteed his party's line.

"To win this race we have to be united and I am going to do everything I can to make sure we are united,” said Long.

As for the Independence Party, the chairman there tells us his party will not weigh in until the special election is officially called.

http://www.ny1.com/content/news/2217...essional-seat/