New York City’s only Republican Congress Members, U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R – South Brooklyn, Staten Island) will have a primary against former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm (R), of which the winner will face-off against the finalist of a number of people running in the Democratic Primary in the general election.
Donovan, the former Staten Island District Attorney, has held the seat since 2015. He was reelected last year and currently serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the House Homeland Security Committee. The incumbent also serves on the Congressional Caucus on Prescription Drug Abuse along with the Helenic Issues and Helenic Israel Caucuses.
Donovan’s primary opponent, Grimm, has the backing of former White House advisor, Steve Bannon, and has served several months in federal prison for tax evasion. The candidate also served the country as a U.S. Marine and F.B.I agent before serving as the Representative of the 11th district from 2011 – 2015.
After Donovan and Grimm battle it out in the Republican primary, they will face one of these challengers during the general election slated for Nov. 6, 2018:
Michael DeCillis (D), a native New Yorker, who has spent over 25 years in the public service working as a paramedic, New York City police office, attorney and special education teacher. He believes his experiences leave him uniquely qualified to take on the issues that impact the community.
“I meet people everyday throughout Staten Island and Brooklyn who share serious common concerns about the direction we are headed as a nation and how the policies crafted in Washington directly affect our jobs, our schools, our healthcare, our taxes and our civil rights,” said DeCillis. “We need someone who will actually listen to the people in our district, advocate for their rights and provide a clear voice in Washington.
Paul Sperling (D), a progressive Democrat, is the youngest candidate vying for district 11’s congressional seat. The 25-year-old is a Staten Island native and a graduate of the College of Staten Island, a 4-year, public college part of the City University of New York (CUNY). Since announcing his candidacy in mid September, Sperling has campaigned on issues such as the opioid crisis and fair pay to residents on Staten Island.
“I’m running for Congress because we need a political revolution in America, said Sperling. “Our government is being dominated by corporations [and] that aren’t working for the people of our country or community. New York used to think big. We need to think big to solve the problems we face today.
Sperling has also campaigned on bringing fair share of transit funding in Staten Island. “Cut the commute by bringing new rail lines to our community, added Sperling.
U.S. Army veteran Max Rose (D) earned a Purple Heart for his service in Afghanistan during 2012 – 2013. The candidate is a Wesleyan and London School of Economics alum, where he respectively earned a History B.A and a M.S.C in M.S.C. in Philosophy and Public Policy. After his military service, Rose worked as Director of Public Engagement and Special Assistant to the late Brooklyn District Attorney Ken Thompson, where he played a leadership role in programs such as Begin Again – the city’s warrant-forgiving program for low level offenses.
“I’m running because our leaders have failed to live up to the sacrifices that the men and women I served with in Afghanistan made every day, said Rose. “I will fight for the America we know is possible – one where hard work is rewarded, healthcare is affordable and our government is back on the side of working Americans.”
Rose outraised the incumbent by more than $100,000 during the last filings and has the VoteVets PAC endorsement.
Zach Emig (D) proclaims himself a proud feminist, father of four, Christian, biker and successful businessman who has campaigned on a strict progressive agenda. Emig was born in Manhattan, has lived in Brooklyn 10 of the past 12 years before moving into his home on the North Shore of Staten Island a year ago. Much like his opponents, Emig has campaigned for higher pay for workers and the middle class, universal health coverage, campaign finance reform and to hold corporations responsible for their contributions in the opioid crisis plaguing the community.
“The White House, Senate, and House are controlled by a pack of rightwing jackals that are openly tearing at America herself—our budget, our diplomatic corps, our immigrant communities—all to deliver more millions to the CEOs and trust funders?” said Emig. “Eat the rich, my friends, before their insatiable greed strips our country to the bone. Demand justice.”
Michael DeVito Jr. (D) enlisted in the Marine Corps at age 17 and served for eight and a half years. The not-for-profit executive is currently a senior director at Workforce Initiatives and the New York Center for Interpersonal Development. Through his leadership and mentorship, the organizations have helped over 2000 “at-risk” students secure their high school diplomas. As a runner enthusiast, the candidate established a race to commemorate the life of a slain student in his neighborhood where funds raised have granted scholarships for deserving students.
“I’ve been at home in this community for three-quarters of my life and have actively helped thousand of people find real solutions to everyday problems, said DeVito. “When it became clear to me that our current representation in Congress has no focus or interest in what everyday people need, I felt called to serve my country again as I had for over 8 years as a U.S. Marine. I am fighting for fair pay for honest work, security for our future and an infrastructure and transportation plan that carries us forward to resiliency and prosperity.”
Omar Vaid (D) is a second generation Muslim-American, whose parents emigrated from India. He is a vocal advocate of Medicare for All and stronger labor unions. The candidate has worked closely with teamsters and carpenter’s unions during his work as a set designer in New York City. Vaid is pro-choice, supports increased funding for public schools and buying local. The candidate, who currently resides in Williamsburg, has been transparent about his yearlong stint as a resident in Bay Ridge and says he will move to the district upon winning the election.
“I’m a union worker and dog dad of two rescues, running for Congress to protect the American Dream for future generations,” said Vaid. “This means more union jobs and better earned benefits, mass transit improvements, not a wasteful border wall, Medicare for all and lower prescription costs. I will never accept so much as a free meal from a lobbyist and I will never forget the Americans who sent me to our nation’s capitol to fight big money interests and discrimination in any form.”
Retired boxer Boyd Melson told KCP he is no longer running because he has been called to serve his country in the Middle East. Melson said he will run in 2020.
