Rep. Bob Turner (R) was elected in an anti-Obama climate in September, and he can expect many Democratic challengers in 2012.
A perfect storm swept Rep. Bob Turner (R) to victory in a September special election in New York’s Queens- and Brooklyn-based district. From a virulently anti-Obama climate to a weak opponent to a masterful campaign, Turner had help hewing out a victory in a district that had been unfavorable to the GOP for decades. But ambitious Democrats are now looking to take him on.
“If there’s a district to run for, I’d be really interested in running for it,” said Democratic Assemblyman Rory Lancman, who represents neighborhoods in Queens in the current 9th. “But we may not know until March or April.
“Turner’s election was a moment-in-time message that the district wanted to send to President Obama about Israel,” Lancman told Roll Call. “That message was sent, and now we have a Representative whose values and votes are completely out of sync with working people in Brooklyn and Queens.”
Turner beat Assemblyman David Weprin (D) by 5 points in the Sept. 13 election for the open seat vacated by ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner (D).
Redistricting remains a gigantic question mark in New York, but whatever Turner’s district looks like, he can expect a slew of opponents hoping to make him a one-hit wonder.
Lois Lerner, director of exempt organizations for the IRS, arrives for a House Oversight and Government Reform Committee hearing on the investigation of the IRS' targeting of political groups. Lerner invoked her Fifth Amendment right to not testify and caused a protest from some committee members when she offered an opening statement and engaged in dialogue with members before invoking the right.
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