Special Election in New York City Today for Congressional Seat

By
The Associated Press
WNYC News | May 5, 2015

A high-profile congressional seat is up for grabs Tuesday as voters in Staten Island and certain sections of Brooklyn take part in a special election.

The 11th Congressional District seat became vacant when GOP Congressman Michael Grimm stepped down after pleading guilty in December to federal tax evasion. But the race isn't high profile just because of Grimm; it's also because of the history of one of the men looking to fill it.

Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan, the Republican candidate, came to national attention last year when a grand jury he empaneled didn't charge a white New York Police Department officer in the chokehold death of an unarmed black man, Eric Garner.

He faces Democrat Vincent Gentile, a member of the City Council and former state senator.

Profile Image
The Associated Press

WNYC is funded by sponsors and member donations

Top Stories From Gothamist

How to Avoid Sneaky Phishing Scams

WNYC has been targeted by scammers who posed as hosts and offered authors interviews -- for a fee (which WNYC would never do). Here's how to spot the scams and deal if you fall for it.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

Justice for Epstein Victims Through NYS

State Senator Zellnor Myrie about his bill that would allow survivors of sexual abuse by Jeffrey Epstein to seek damages from the Epstein estate.
The Brian Lehrer Show |

New Doc Celebrates NYC's Weird and Wild Public Access TV Experiment

In the 1970s and '80s, NYC's gave independent creators a platform on broadcast television, in the form of Manhattan Cable TV, a network that aired un-censored programs without editori...
All Of It with Alison Stewart |
YOU ARE ONLINE