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Michael Grimm Is Running For Congress Again Because Trump 'Needs Help Draining That Swamp'
By
Clifford Michel
Published Oct 2, 2017
Modified Oct 2, 2017
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By
Clifford Michel
Published Oct 2, 2017
Modified Oct 2, 2017
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Michael Grimm, the former Republican Congressman from Staten Island who served eight months in prison for tax evasion, announced his comeback bid for Congress on Sunday in New Dorp neighborhood of Staten Island.
Grimm walked on stage to chants of "U-S-A!" and promised to support President Donald Trump and return to Congress as a thorn in the side of mainline Republicans.
"Together we moved mountains. We defied all the odds. We literally turned the place upside down," said Grimm. "Business as usual wasn't happening on our watch, but not as much as our newly elected commander in chief, let's hear it for Donald J. Trump!" Grimm said to raucous applause from the crowd of more than a hundred people.
"Our president needs help draining that swamp," Grimm said. "It's been a breath of fresh air that we finally have a President that's not afraid to say 'thank you' to God. He's not afraid to say a prayer. It's music to my ears."
Grimm added, "And after eight years of the Obama presidency, we need him. We need to restore our place on the world stage. And I intend to be a part of it. I feel it's my duty to have our president's back and advance his agenda."
Grimm will face Rep. Dan Donovan, the former Richmond County DA, in next year's Republican primary. Donovan won the seat, which encompasses Staten Island and a portion of south Brooklyn, during a May 2015 special election that was triggered by Grimm's resignation. The entire state Republican party—including Staten Island—is supporting Donovan.
"It's hard to tell what's worse: the fact that Michael Grimm lied to his constituents and left them in the lurch with no representation under President Obama? Or that he had one of the most liberal voting records of all congressional Republicans," Donovan's spokeswoman Jessica Proud, said in a statement.
Several attendees at Grimm's announcement said that Grimm's support of President Trump and his presence in the borough while he was in Congress were major factors in their decision to support him.
"He's one of the few politicians who shows his face, not just during campaigning time," said Lisa Digennaro, a Tottenville resident. "During Hurricane Sandy I volunteered and he was around volunteering. He opened up a warehouse during Hurricane Sandy and you always saw him around and it wasn't about the votes."
Digennaro said that she couldn't say the same for Donovan, who was criticized by constituents for not holding town halls, opting instead for smaller meetings and telephone town halls.
"I haven't seen [Donovan] around. I feel like he falls in the trap of the other politicians," Digennaro continued. "Grimm is more of a real person. He gets down on people's level."
Joe Bellantoni, a Pleasant Plains resident, told us, "The best way I can narrow it down is that he's one of us."
Grimm's first term in Congress was plagued by scandal. In early 2014, Grimm threatened a NY1 reporter on camera, and he was indicted by federal prosecutors after his Manhattan restaurant underreported over $1 million in wages and receipts. Still, Grimm won reelection in November 2014 before he was forced to resign after he pled guilty.
The Daily News reported that Grimm recently owed around $570,000 in legal bills and back taxes, but claims to have paid them off with the help of some benefactors. He didn't answer questions from reporters after the rally.
When asked about the fact that Grimm is now a convicted felon, one supporter, Marie from Heartland Village, simply replied, "That doesn't matter now."
"Sincerely, I'm truly sorry if I let any of you down," Grimm told the crowd before being interrupted by supporters who screamed out: "No, you didn't!" "It's okay, Mike!" and "God forgives!"
"I still feel like I let your voice be abruptly taken away from you," Grimm told them. "From the very bottom of the heart, I am sorry. And I do love you."
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donald trump
michael grimm
staten island
Clifford Michel
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