The Queens and Brooklyn Republican chairman just sent out official word that they have chosen businessman Bob Turner in the race to replace Anthony Weiner in Congress.
Turner surpassed expectations by garnering 39 percent of the vote against Weiner in 2010, but there had been some calls to pick someone who was thought to have more of a future in electoral politics if the Democrat, David Weprin, goes on to win, as is expected. By this way of thinking, a younger candidate could have used the race to boost his name ID, and gone on to run for a Council or Assembly seat, while Turner is not expected to run again if he loses this time.
The Queens Conservative Party chose Turner last week, but there was some hesitation among Queens Republicans, since Turner is aligned with a faction of the party looking to wrest control of the party from chairman Phil Ragusa.
Ragusa, who wanted ex-Bob Dole aide Juan Reyes to be the nominee, was gracious in defeat.
“We are very pleased to have such a capable and experienced candidate to win this seat,” he said in a statement. “Bob ran strongly against the incumbent last time, and we know he has the momentum now going into this special election to win and send a strong message to Washington that the people need real change for the American people.”
And in the release, party spokesman Robert Hornak can’t help but take a few digs at Turner’s Democratic opponent.
“Turner will face off against Democrat David Weprin, who was just elected to his brother’s State Assembly seat last year. Weprin, who doesn’t reside in the 9th district, was supported by the Queens Democratic Party to try to help the seat in Democratic hands until it can be eliminated in the redistricting process next year.”
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