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Despite Fraud Charges, Rep. Grimm Holds Onto Congressional Seat

By Nicholas Rizzi | November 5, 2014 8:38am
  Rep. Michael Grimm handily beat challenger Domenic Recchia at Tuesday night's election.
Rep. Michael Grimm Wins Re-election Bid
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BLOOMFIELD — Even a 20-count indictment for fraud couldn't stop Rep. Michael Grimm's re-election bid.

The scandal-scarred Republican handily defeated his Democrat opponent Domenic Recchia to retain New York's 11th District for his third term on Tuesday night.

"This has been a very difficult and emotional rollercoaster for me," Grimm said.

"To have the people of Staten Island and Brooklyn stand behind me the way they did... it really meant a lot to me on a personal level."

Despite being indicted on 20 counts of fraud for allegedly hiding more than $1 million in profits from an Upper East Side restaurant he previously owned, and his opposition's campaign chest having $5 million more in it than his, Grimm still defeated Recchia with 56 percent of the vote, his widest margin yet.

"They hit me with everything they had... but we're here, tonight, victorious," Grimm told supporters at the Hilton Garden Inn in Bloomfield after the votes were counted.

Recchia was unable to defeat Grimm despite the criminal charges, investigations into the Republican's 2010 campaign fundraising and an incident when he was recorded threatening to throw a NY1 reporter off a balcony.

Grimm said that he expected the results to go his way.

"I had a lot of faith in Staten Island," Grimm said. "I was expecting double digits on Staten Island and we got there."

Critics of Recchia said he lacked knowledge on issues and concrete fixes for problems in the borough. They said his only talking point was bashing Grimm for his indictment.

"His campaign strength, it would seem, is to say he's not Michael Grimm," the Staten Island Advance wrote in its endorsement of Grimm.

Grimm's victory came as Republicans won seats across the country, ultimately taking control of the Senate.

"I hope we can unify," Grimm said. "This gridlock in this country is not working for America. We need to put this country first."

With the re-election bid behind him, Grimm still faces a February trial for his indictment and could possibly be stripped of his post if found guilty. Grimm said he was confident he'd be acquitted.

In the State Senate and Assembly elections in the borough, all incumbents held onto their seats.

Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis defeated Marybeth Melendez, Assemblyman Michael Cusick defeated Joseph Tirone and State Senator Andrew Lanza defeated Gary Carsel.

Assemblyman Joe Borelli, Matthew Titone and State Sen. Diane Savino all ran unopposed and kept their seats after Tuesday's election.