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[UPDATE] John Catsimatidis Is Helping Anti-Sandy Aid Senator Raise Money
By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 24, 2013
Modified Jan 24, 2013
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By
Jen Chung
Published Jan 24, 2013
Modified Jan 24, 2013
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[UPDATE: Catsimatidis responds to our story below] As he flirts with running for mayor every four years, it seems that billionaire Gristede's owner John Catsimatidis really wants to double down on his Republican credentials. Because he's holding a fundraiser for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell at his home.
As you may recall, McConnell (R-Kentucky) voted against the Senate's Hurricane Sandy aid package. According to the Post, "Catsimatidis defended the McConnell event to be held Sunday night at his posh Central Park apartment on Fifth Avenue. Guests are asked to kick in $1,000 to $5,000 to McConnell’s campaign. Catsimatidis insisted that McConnell was helpful in getting other GOP senators to back the bill." McConnell is also really not helpful to President Obama.
The fundraiser is co-hosted by the NY State Republican Party Chair Ed Cox, a son-in-law of President Nixon. Cox's son Christopher married Catsimatidis' daughter Andrea. The young couple are a part of the Catsimatidis Christmas card.
John Catsimatidis, Margo Catsimatidis, John Catsimatidis Jr., Andrea Catsimatidis, Christopher Nixon Cox (via Capital New York)
Anyway, hope there's salad on the menu at the McConnell fundraiser.
[UPDATE] "The headline is just 110% wrong," Catsimatidis tells a reporter over the phone. "[McConnell] got me eight votes for Sandy aide from his minority party to help Schumer pass the bill for people in this city that desperately need it." Doesn't it matter that McConnell himself voted against the measure? "Listen, Senator Schumer called me up afterwards and thanked me for it. This was about helping New Yorkers."
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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