U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-Southern Brooklyn, Staten Island) last week kicked off his re-election for the 11th Congressional District, and quickly protected the party’s conservative base in taking aim at his GOP primary opponent, former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm.
“My primary opponent in this race wants you to forget about his liberal voting record backing Obama’s amnesty program, voting to fund Obamacare and Planned Parenthood eight times and his silence during President Trump’s election. He lied to us and put this seat at risk of falling into Nancy Pelosi’s hands once before–we can’t let that happen again and we won’t,” said Donovan at the Staten Island kick-off.
“Whether it’s important national issues like restoring America’s strength on the world stage and fixing our broken immigration system or local issues like getting the seawall built and helping our veterans, our nation is moving in the right direction and we have a lot more we want to accomplish,” he added.
Donovan also secured the Brooklyn Conservative Party endorsement from its Chair Jerry Kassar. “The people of South Brooklyn and Staten Island need a powerful voice in Washington representing their values, and I’m honored that the Brooklyn Conservative Party has recognized my commitment to doing what’s right for our district,” said Donovan.
Meanwhile, the two military veterans vying for the Democratic Party line to run for the seat, Michael DeVito Jr. and Max Rose, started to pull away from the crowded Democratic Party primary field with local and national-scaled endorsements.
Marine veteran DeVito, who joined the congressional race Sept. 2017, pulled in a couple of endorsements. Former candidate, Boyd Melson, who was said to be a front-runner amongst the Democratic candidates before pulling out of the race due to deployment, tapped DeVito as his choice to secure the seat.
“Michael is an extraordinary man, and you get the sense of his integrity and his honor just by listening to him speak,” said Melson on Radio Free Bay Ridge podcast. “He has served our country in uniform for eight years. But just as important to me, he serves the youth daily on Staten Island. He’s extraordinarily passionate, he puts his heart where his mouth is.”
The Food and Water Fund also endorsed DeVito. The advocacy group, lobbies congress to support educational work surrounding food and water. The Food and Water Fund supports candidates who have made a decisive platform in support of climate action.
Rose also received a couple of nods this month as well. In addition to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee tapping Rose to participate in their Red and Blue program last week, California Congressmember Ted Lieu endorsed the U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient.
“We need bold, courageous leaders who aren’t afraid to defend and advance progressive policies down in Washington D.C and that’s why I am supporting Max Rose in his campaign for Congress,” said Lieu. “During his time at the Brooklyn District Attorney’s office, Max worked to reform our criminal justice system and with Mothers Against Gun Violence to help save lives – a cause he continued to advocate for as a member of Occupy The Block on Staten Island.”
Also throwing his support behin Rose is Jason Kander, former Missouri Secretary of State and President of Let America Vote. The rumored Presidential candidate and fellow veteran lauded Rose’s military service and congressional run.
“I am so excited to support Max Rose. In politics, and in life, I gravitate toward people who know doing the right thing is not always the easiest path, but they do it anyway – and that’s Max,” said Kander.
