By Ross Barkan 4/02 4:06pm

turner time

bob-turner

Eric Ulrich Calls for Bob Turner to Lead Queens Republican Party

In the wake of bribery charges being brought against the Queens Republican Party’s executive vice president, Republican Councilman Eric Ulrich is calling for former Congressman Bob Turner to the lead the party.

“I want to see Bob Turner as the next chairman and I want [Queens GOP Chair] Phil Ragusa to resign immediately,” Mr. Ulrich told Politicker. “I believe Ragusa has an obligation to step aside. The only person who can bring peace and bring people together is Bob Turner because of his integrity, character and ability to work with people on different sides. He’s very conciliatory.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 2/01 3:35pm

White House Well-Wishes

(Photo: Getty)

President Obama Reflects on the Passing of Ed Koch

In 1981, when Ed Koch was mayor, President Barack Obama moved to New York City to study at Columbia University. Today, Mr. Obama joined New Yorkers in mourning Mr. Koch’s death.

“Ed Koch was an extraordinary Mayor, irrepressible character, and quintessential New Yorker,” Mr. Obama said in a statement. “He took office at a time when New York was in fiscal crisis, and helped his city achieve economic renewal, expand affordable housing, and extend opportunity to more of its people.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 11/08/12 1:08pm

bob's job

(Photo: Getty)

Bob Turner Is Done With the Whole Politics Thing

Last year, GOP Congressman Bob Turner drew national headlines when he notched an upset victory in the special election to replace Rep. Anthony Weiner, whose infaous lewd tweet led to the liberal firebrand’s resignation. However, after giving up his seat for a failed Senate bid and watching his party lose the presidential election, it sounds like Mr. Turner might be giving up the political life.

“I’m very disappointed, but the country has changed, its demographics, its values, but I’m part of the old guard,” Mr. Turner said at Councilman Eric Ulrich’s election night event, according to Forest Hills Patch. “I think it’s a really sad day.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 10/31/12 8:07am

hurricane sandy

(photo: @bradlander)

Politicians Weather the Storm With Some Damage

Demonstrating that Mother Nature goes about her work without fear or favor, several prominent New York political figures were among the thousands who had their homes damaged by Hurricane Sandy this week.

In the middle of an interview with the Queens Times Ledger, for example, Far Rockaway Councilman James Sanders exclaimed, “A tree has fallen on my wife’s car.” Asked whether he wished he had left his flooded neighborhood, which was in the mandatory evacuation Zone A, Mr. Sanders expressed only one regret.

“I expected this and worse,” he said. “I regret not moving my wife’s car.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 10/30/12 12:05pm

frankenstorm

(Photo: The Atlantic's Chris Heller, @c_heller)

Congressman Bob Turner’s House Burned Down in Sandy’s Fury

Breezy Point, on the tip of the Rockaway Peninsula, was among the most devastated neighborhoods in New York City in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Indeed, floods and fires left the area reminiscent of a war zone.

The fires also claimed the homes of Congressman Bob Turner and State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long, Crain’s Insider reported. Fortunately, Mr. Turner’s office told the publication that the congressman and his wife made it out safely. Mr. Long is safe-and-sound too. Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/28/12 3:27pm

challenging gillibrand

Wendy Long (Photo: NY1)

With Bob Turner Gone, Wendy Long Gets Some Orthodox Love

Throughout Rep. Bob Turner’s unsuccessful U.S. Senate campaign this year, the candidate often cited his support from the Jewish community to argue for his unique general election appeal and why he was the sole candidate who could beat Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall. Mr. Turner, of course, won in upset special election last year by scoring high margins among observant Jewish voters. Yet, on the front page of Hamodia, a prominent Orthodox Jewish daily, Mr. Turner’s former opponent and current Republican nominee Wendy Long saw her praises sung.

“Wendy Long was chosen by Republicans to take on Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who has championed a progressive social agenda at the expense of the weakening economy,” Yochonon Donn, an editor at Hamodia, wrote. “Long has promised that she has a unique experience in fighting that.” Read More

By Hunter Walker 6/26/12 7:44pm

Pre-Emptive Strikes

Bob Turner (Photo: Facebook)

Bob Turner Wants The Senate Primary Ballots Impounded

Political candidates generally impound ballots in elections where there is suspected voter fraud, Congressman Bob Turner’s campaign says they want the ballots in today’s three-way Republican Senate primary impounded just to be on the safe side of things. Mr. Turner’s campaign sent out a statement this evening announcing they have ordered the ballots impounded “to ensure the integrity of every vote in what may be shaping up as the lowest turnout in New York primary history.”

“The Turner campaign is committed to ensuring the integrity of every vote and impounding the ballots is the best way to achieve that for the good of all the campaigns,” campaign spokeswoman Jessica Proud said. “In the meantime, we are urging as many Republicans as possible to get to the polls before 9 p.m. to support the candidate of their choice.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/18/12 4:42pm

episodes in heckling

One of the hecklers on the left and the army of children on the right. Bob Turner is somewhere in the middle.

Bob Turner’s Patriotic Anti-Bieber Protest Turns Chaotic in Coney Island [Video]

Who knew a conflict that pits Justin Bieber against “Proud to be an American” could be so contentious?

For those not paying attention, a kindergarten decided to switch out the famously patriotic song with Mr. Bieber’s “Baby” for a graduation ceremony a week or so ago, causing a number of Republican officials, like Rep. Michael Grimm to lash out at the decision. Today, another one of those officials, Congressman and U.S. Senate hopeful Bob Turner, held a press conference adjacent to the school in question where he sung “Proud to be an American” with a swarm of small children waving flags.

Well, not everyone thought that was a swell idea.

“You Republicans come go to a Republican area and do that, we don’t do that here,” one of the several hecklers yelled out early on. “This is ridiculous, this is sad. This is so crazy. This is sad.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/18/12 10:06am

don't send her the invite

The three candidates last night.

Wendy Long Would Refuse to Attend A Gay Wedding

The three candidates seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand debated last night and several interesting moments came up when discussing the same sex marriage New York enacted last year.

Notably, when one of the candidates, Wendy Long, faced a question as to whether she would, on principle, refuse to attend a same-sex wedding, she answered with a firm “yes.”

The line of questioning appeared to move on before George Maragos could answer the question, but for his part, Bob Turner said, “I would not refuse, no.” Read More

By Colin Campbell 6/12/12 10:11am

rolling with rudy

(Photo: Getty)

Bob Turner Advertises With Giuliani

Congressman Bob Turner certainly isn’t done showcasing his endorsement from former Mayor Rudy Giulaini as he seeks the Republican nomination to battle Senator Kirsten Gillibrand in the fall.

“Bob Turner is a businessman and a patriotic New Yorker,” Mr. Giuliani declared in a radio ad released by Mr. Turner’s campaign this morning. “He’s fed up with what’s going on in Washington. And he’s running to help get our economy moving again. Bob Turner knows how to create jobs. He’s been creating them all his life.” Read More