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Republicans Increase Call for DA Donovan to Replace Grimm in Congress

By Nicholas Rizzi | January 2, 2015 1:35pm | Updated on January 5, 2015 8:45am
 A host of Republican electeds, party leaders and officials announced their support if District Attorney Dan Donovan runs to fill Rep. Michael Grimm's seat.
A host of Republican electeds, party leaders and officials announced their support if District Attorney Dan Donovan runs to fill Rep. Michael Grimm's seat.
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DNAinfo/Nicholas Rizzi

STATEN ISLAND — A host of Republican electeds, party leaders and officials have called on District Attorney Dan Donovan to run to fill Rep. Michael Grimm's soon-to-be vacant seat in Congress.

The coalition from around the city on Friday announced their support for Donovan, who has served as DA since 2003, if he chooses to run during a special election.

"Dan Donovan is the most competent and qualified candidate we could ask for and I strongly encourage him to run," said City Council Minority Leader Vincent Ignizio in a statement.

"He is the right person at the right time to help this district and this city move forward."

On Monday, Grimm announced he would resign from his seat — which he was re-elected to in November — after he pleaded guilty to tax fraud for underreporting profits and payroll from an Upper East Side eatery he co-owned.

Donovan said at the time he was "very seriously considering the race," but since then Republican leaders have flooded social media with declarations of support if he announces a run.

"Competence, the ability to do the job well, should always be the most important criterion in selecting a candidate for any office," said Borough President James Oddo. "Dan Donovan is the best qualified person and would make a superb member of the United States House of Representatives."

Former Mayor Rudy Giuliani, Assemblyman Joe Borelli, Councilman Steven Matteo, Staten Island GOP Chairman John Antoniello, State Sen. Marty Golden and several others all announced their support for Donovan.

Since Grimm announced his resignation, other GOP members considered likely to run include Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis and State Sen. Andrew Lanza.

Democratic challengers reportedly include Assemblyman Michael Cusick and former Rep. Michael McMahon, who lost his seat to Grimm in 2010.