New York Rep. Michael Grimm may be facing a federal indictment and pending trial, but he was easily re-elected Tuesday.
The Republican, who represents Staten Island, beat his Democratic opponent, ex-City Councilman Domenic Recchia by double digits, 55 to 42 percent.
Grimm was more composed, telling cheering supporters, “I as your congressman have never been prouder. You stood by me against all the odds. You stood by me when I needed you most,” according to the New York Post.
The road to re-election for Grimm has not always been easy. Controversy has plagued him throughout the year.
In January, Grimm had a confrontation on a Capitol balcony following the State of the Union address. After New York City cable news station NY1 reporter Michael Scott attempted to ask a quick question about a long-running federal investigation into Grimm’s finances, the congressman responded, “Let me be clear to you. If you ever do that to me again, I’ll throw you off this (expletive) balcony.”
“No. No. You’re not man enough. You’re not man enough. I’ll break you in half. Like a boy,” Grimm then said into the news camera.
Then in August, Grimm pleaded not guilty to 20 counts of federal mail, wire and tax fraud charges stemming from a restaurant he co-owned from 2007 to 2010, before he entered Congress.
At the time of his indictment, he said he was a victim of a “political witch hunt.” The trial date is set for Dec. 1.
One supporter of Grimm’s told the New York Post, “Everyone is corrupt. Why am I going to penalize him? He didn’t raise our property tax by 18 percent. They are human beings. He’s not going to be convicted.”
Three other Republicans also won big in districts outside New York City Tuesday night.
