Posted on 09/04/2019 11:05:44 AM PDT by Steely Tom
Conventional wisdom dictates that taking bribes, frequenting prostitutes or shooting someone in broad daylight are good ways to end a political career. But in New York, a number of politicians forced out of office in the wake of a scandal have tried to get back in the game. Some run right away to avoid fading into obscurity, while others lie low to let things quiet down – or to serve out a prison sentence – before seeking office once again. These comeback candidates hold out hope that voters will give them a second chance – and every now and again, they do.
Here are the New York politicos who have reentered politics despite their past crimes or indiscretions.
Eric Stevenson
Eric Stevenson is running for Congress? Sure, the ex-assemblyman had to relinquish his Bronx seat in 2014 after being convicted of bribery and extortion, but he’s the victim, right? “Whatever they did to me isn’t going to change what I believe,” he told the Daily News this year. Most recently, he expressed interest in running next year for his old Assembly seat.
Mario Biaggi
After rising in the Democratic ranks in the House of Representatives, the longtime Bronx congressman caught the eye of a young federal prosecutor named Rudy Giuliani. Two trials later, Biaggi was out of office and in prison. He fell short trying to win back his seat after his release, but his granddaughter, state Sen. Alessandra Biaggi, is busy rehabilitating the family name.
Michael Grimm
The hot-headed former Republican congressman and convicted tax cheat fell short trying to win back his Staten Island-based House seat in 2018. However, the word on the street is that Grimm is considering another congressional run.
Roger Green
The former Brooklyn assemblyman resigned and announced his re-election campaign on the same day in 2004. Submitting false travel expense reports forced him from office for a few months, but his constituents sent him back to Albany for another term as fast as they could.
Micah Kellner
The alleged serial sexual harasser ran successfully to become a Democratic district leader in 2014 after announcing he would not seek reelection to the Assembly. His (sort of) comeback was short lived, because he lost that post in a primary two years later.
Carl Kruger
The felonious former Brooklyn state senator is reportedly eyeing a 2021 run for New York City Council. He could run on a platform of saving taxpayers money by pledging, if elected, to not shake them down for $1 million in bribes this time around.
John Liu
A fundraising scandal torpedoed the former New York City comptroller’s chances in the 2013 mayor’s race. After pumping some serious iron and getting a pilot’s license, Liu is flying high after winning a seat in the state Senate last year.
Vito Lopez
The longtime assemblyman and serial sexual harasser cost taxpayers more than $680,000 in legal settlements. Months after resigning from the state Legislature in disgrace in 2013, the ex-Brooklyn Democratic boss lost a New York City Council primary race to Antonio Reynoso.
Hiram Monserrate
It took him five stabs at various positions, but the former Queens lawmaker won an election as a Democratic district leader in 2018, despite his past raps for slashing a girlfriend, mail fraud and conspiracy.
Eliot Spitzer
It seems quaint in the Age of Trump that a politician would resign over an old-fashioned prostitution scandal. But that’s what happened to Gov. Eliot Spitzer over a decade ago. He lost his 2013 comeback bid for city comptroller, but his appearances as a TV talking head suggest he isn’t leaving the public eye anytime soon.
Daniel Edgar Sickles
Back in 1853, the state Assembly censured Daniel Edgar Sickles for bringing one of New York City’s most renowned prostitutes into the legislative chamber. He later shot and killed his wife’s lover – the son of Francis Scott Key – as a sitting congressman in 1859. He avoided murder charges and retained his seat by becoming the first criminal defendant in U.S. history to declare temporary insanity. The Tammany lackey then secured plenty of political positions after a less-than-honorable performance as a Civil War general – before capping off his comeback by getting elected to Congress again in 1892!
William Sulzer
In 1913, Sulzer became the first New York governor to be impeached and removed from office. He got elected to the state Assembly a few weeks later and then exacted revenge on his Tammany tormentors by running for governor the following year as the candidate for the Prohibition Party – and throwing the election to Republican Charles Whitman.
Anthony Weiner
Various sexting scandals cost the former Queens lawmaker you may know as Carlos Danger a seat in Congress, and a good chance at becoming mayor. Now a registered sex offender, you could call Weiner the ultimate political longshot.
Yes, if they are rats, and if their transgression did not involve offending one of their favorite special interest groups.
I’m really waiting for a John Edwards comeback.
Between his known corruption as governor of Arkansas, his notorious disdain for America’s fight against Communism, and his wife’s program of calling Bill’s various victims “bimbos”, Bill Clinton was already disgraced by the time he ran for President in 1992.
The Democrat voters did not care. They hid behind the tissue thin lie of “It’s the economy. stupid.”
Bubba Clinton got re-elected.
Yup. All except one (Michael Grimm) are (or were) members of the Party of Virtue.
Clintons...
Sure! As long as it doesn’t involve a dead woman or a live boy..................
Well, this article was limited to disgraced politicians of New York State, but you are both right of course.
I bet it happens.
I’m pretty sure Teddy did some disgraceful things in New York State.
Heh heh, you're probably right. I'm not sure if the Carnegie Deli had Teddy's favorite sandwich.
They do every day.
Yes. The American electorate is distracted and uninterested. Promise free stuff and you’re back in the game.
I was starting to worry Anthony the Weiner didn’t make the list. Glad to see him there, even if only in last place.
Yes, he should get back in politics.
They used to say unless you’re caught with a live boy or a dead girl you can weather the storm. I guess Neck Brace Kennedy proved that one wrong, as did Condit and Scarborough.
It appears Al Franken is plotting his return.
The ambulance chasing lawyer or the guy who talks to dead people?
I always thought they should team up!
Bill Clinton? Alcee Hastings? William Jefferson?
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