Both parties had a candidate win in a landslide in New York’s 11th Congressional District Tuesday.
Incumbent U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan defeated challenger Michael Grimm for the Republican nomination, while Max Rose won the Democratic nomination over 5 other candidates.
According to the unofficial vote count, Donovan received 12,772 votes or 64.7% of the electorate, as compared to Grimm, who received 7,217 votes or 36.1% of the electorate.
On the side of the Democrats, Rose received 10,696 votes, while his opponents combined for 5,287 votes.
“Since day one we’ve run this campaign on rebuilding trust, and that’s what got us here – and what will take us to victory in November,” said Max Rose in a press release. “On Staten Island and in Brooklyn, we’re done with being ignored and ripped off. It’s time to change our politics and our leaders down in D.C.”
Rose wasted no time in going after his opponent, who said he has failed to accomplish what he set out to do in Washington.
“Dan Donovan had his chance to change Washington and fight to defeat the drug epidemic, lower our healthcare costs, and rebuild our infrastructure. He failed. It’s time we had a member of Congress with the courage to lead and integrity to serve,” Rose said.
The race between Donovan and Grimm was a heated one that included several personal attacks dished out between the candidates.
Grimm spent a majority of the campaign attacking Donovan’s voting record, implying he was not a true conservative and went against the president when it counted.
Donovan, who President Donald Trump endorsed, attacked Grimm for his criminal history. Grimm previously served as the 11th district’s Congressman, but was forced to resign after being indicted and convicted of felony counts of fraud related to income tax evasion. Grimm spent eight months in prison.
“We are so gratified by tonight’s incredible victory that is a true testament to the people of Staten Island and South Brooklyn. Now, we come together, united in support of Dan Donovan who has served this community proudly with a record of delivering results. We cannot let this seat fall in the hands of Nancy Pelosi’s hand-picked candidate,” said Jessica Proud, a spokesperson for Dan Donovan.
The 11th congressional district includes the entirety of Staten Island and neighborhoods in Southern Brooklyn including Bay Ridge, Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Gravesend and parts of southern Bensonhurst.
The general election is Nov. 6.
