Despite a 20-count indictment and a trial on the horizon, Rep. Michael Grimm (R-NY) locked down a double-digit victory to represent parts of Staten Island and Brooklyn on Tuesday.
Spirits were high at the Staten Island Hilton Garden Inn, where the campaign celebrated victory over former New York City Councilman Democrat Domenic Recchia.
“All members of Team Grimm, meet me at the bar for fucking shots,” said Marc Alvarez, the congressman’s body man, according to the New York Post.
The candidate himself reportedly delivered a more formal address to his supporters.
“I as your congressman have never been prouder,” Grimm said to the crowd. “You stood by me against all the odds. You stood by me when I needed you most,” the Post quoted him as saying.
Grimm continues to fight criminal charges, including tax fraud, associated with his former Manhattan restaurant, Healthalicious.
The candidate won conflicted endorsements from both The New York Daily News and The Staten Island Advance. In its editorial, the Daily News said the Democratic challenger was so bad it believed the best case scenario would be that Grimm won re-election and then was convicted of the federal charges so his district could have a do-over.
