Do New York Republicans struggle in special elections? Just a few months after losing a special election in NY-26 through bad messaging, Republicans appeared to have a surprising opportunity to win the special election to replace the disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner, D-NY. But now GOP nominee Bob Turner has criticized the Zadroga 9/11 health care bill that dedicated $2.78 billion to 9/11 volunteers who grew sick as result of chemicals at Ground Zero, and the comment may prove haunting.
The New York Daily News has the story:
“My call would be to protect police, fire, emergency workers, construction workers, etc.
“If someone said, ‘I volunteered’ or walked through there, it’s just not the type,” added Turner, who faces Democrat David Weprin in the Sept. 13 special election.
To be fair, Turner’s comment suggests that he thinks the health care fund could be abused by people who claim to have gotten sick on 9/11. Turner’s last words indicate that he thinks officials will struggle to verify who actually volunteered at Ground Zero. But his apparent willingness to limit the health care funds to official workers shuts out the legitimate volunteers who worked side-by-side with government first-responders.
The story included a quote from one such “9/11 activist” who blasted Turner for his remarks:
“For Bob Turner to turn his back on those New Yorkers, but use images of the burning towers in campaign ads – a circus monkey can out-politic Bob Turner, he’s an embarrassment to the Republican Party,” fumed Feal.
Turner can expect more of the same from his Democrat opponent for the rest of the race.
