It’s lunchtime at the Bridgeview Diner on 3rd Avenue in Bay Ridge. This Thursday, baked manicotti and eggplant parmesan are listed as “specials” at the neighborhood eatery. As the hostess ushers local residents in and out of the restaurant, at least one of the midday diners has recognized the former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm (R-South Brooklyn Staten Island) seated alone at a booth.
“We’re pulling for you,” said the silver-haired patron sauntering away from Grimm.
The controversial former lawmaker, who has served time in a federal prison for tax evasion, is looking to reclaim his old 11th Congressional district seat, and will face U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan in next year’s September primary.
It’s been more than two months since Grimm announced his candidacy to a welcoming audience in Staten Island, but Southern Brooklyn residents remain split on the idea of embracing a Grimm comeback.
“I think the demographics have changed a little,” said Grimm responding to whether the neighborhood still felt the same since his last run for office. “This side of the bridge has definitely become a little more liberal.”
Overall, the lifetime New Yorker said the quality of life on the Brooklyn side of the district seemed the same.
“I think the dilapidated infrastructure is an issue here,” said Grimm who insisted on the importance of working with the President to ensure the 11th district benefits from the administration’s infrastructure plans. “Brooklyn is old and it needs to be rebuilt.”
On concerns that President Trump’s interpretation of infrastructure will sway towards border control and building walls, Grimm chucked those discussions up to mere Democrat talking points and said the arguments are not true.
“The infrastructure project, if done correctly, I believe, will be a public and private partnership,” said Grimm. “I believe our president will be able to bring in private sector to share the cost of a lot of this infrastructure. It’s the exact infrastructure that New York City needs and specifically our district.”
On a national level the candidate would like to see a high-speed tunnel along the Eastern shoreline, another local tunnel to Manhattan and more high-speed ferry service.
“The all-borough ferry doesn’t stop in Staten Island,” said Grimm. “That’s just such a slap in the face.”
The former FBI agent and Marine Corps veteran marched back into politics with an endorsement from Steve Bannon, President Trump’s former chief strategist. And while the candidate acknowledged a nod from an operative who has declared war against the Republican Party is risky, he takes comfort in knowing Bannon’s MAGA (Make America Great Again) trajectory has not waned.
“Bannon and I agree that establishment politicians have not served this country well,” said Grimm. “It doesn’t mean we’re going to agree on everything. [Bannon] doesn’t want a yes man.”
And while working with the current administration is a priority, Grimm made clear his ability to reach across the aisle. “I’ve worked with Maxine Waters,” said Grimm. “I think you would say she’s one of the most liberal Democrats in the House.”
Following Hurricane Sandy, Grimm joined forces with U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA) in co-sponsoring the Grimm-Waters Act or Homeowner Flood Insurance Affordability Act of 2013. The Obama-era legislation was designed to slow the increase of insurance costs for flood-zone areas. The Act came in response to the Biggert-Waters Act, which set out to match insurance costs with the risk of living in a flood-zone area.
Grimm highlighted other successful legislation he helped pass while in office and the millions he secured post Hurricane Sandy, and announced once his opponents are done with the name calling he is willing to talk policy.
By the time breakfast arrived, eggs and an English muffin, the conversation turned to his consulting business and how his background as an attorney and former FBI agent afford him certain advantages in both business and politics. When asked why he would transition from a profitable business to navigate another stint in government, turned to his aspirations to serve.
“I was on Wall Street and had set up for very lucrative career when the FBI called,” said Grimm. “My mother had to stop me from trying to enlist at 17. I’ve had plenty of opportunities to earn big money and I’ve chosen the service route.”
But the former Congress member did finally enlist, and said his stint with the U.S. Marine Corps provided the best training he has ever received, this including his experiences with law school and the FBI.
“They broke things down to their simplest parts,” said Grimm. “They delegated and slowly built on a foundation.”
The veteran proposes this same strategy to tackle the pervasive opioid crisis currently plaguing both Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn.
The candidate said he is prepared to implement a four-part plan that encompasses federal, state, city and private sector contributions.
“There is no silver-bullet plan,” said Grimm. But the candidate said he would make a concerted effort to work with the President and his Congressional colleagues to secure funding and reign in FDA abuses.
The candidate said the multi-faceted plan will define his political career, one that was cut short in 2014.
An outspoken critic of the ongoing Russian investigation on collusion, Grimm maintains his belief that the entire investigation is a “hoax and politically motivated.” As a former FBI agent, the candidate insists the agency has never followed protocol during their investigation with Hillary Clinton until the first issued subpoena.
“As far as I know there was never a grand jury impaneled, and that right there says it’s a sham investigation,” said Grimm. Likewise, the candidate blamed similar motivations as the source of his own political demise.
“My case is a perfect example,” said Grimm. “If you didn’t think it was politics then you just weren’t watching. My entire conviction is based on three delivery boys and a dishwasher working off-the-books,” added Grimm.
Grimm partially owned and operated a Healthalicious restaurant on the Upper East Side of Manhattan between 2007 and 2009. Although his case was rooted in paying undocumented workers off the books, according to federal documents, the former Congress member was charged and convicted for aiding and assisting the preparation of false and fraudulent tax returns to the IRS. In 2014, he was sentenced to 8 months in federal prison of which he served 7.
Grimm did make one promise that would appease some Brooklynites – a consistent presence in the borough, “I think if you ask anyone they would say we saw Michel Grimm a lot,” said Grimm.
The candidate also touted a long-standing relationship with his former Arab-speaking constituents.
“I’ve done more in the Yemeni community than any Arab has ever done,” said Grimm, falling into a story about the time he helped a Ridgite facilitate the return of his American-born daughter who was being unwillingly held in Yemen against her will as reported in a 2012 Home Reporter article.
The well-dressed Grimm who sported a medium blue, three-piece suit with a Marine Corp. pin and no tie delicately steered through the criticisms that defined his relationships with reporters.
After threatening a NY1 reporter in January 2014, his relationship with some journalists in the industry remains strained.
“What I said was completely inappropriate and I was wrong,” said the candidate. “Over five years I’ve had interactions with reporters and have never had a problem.”
When asked if he would do it again, the 47-year-old responded, “No.”
