NEW YORK - In a special election that drew nationwide attention, Republican Bob Turner defeated Democrat and former municipal bond banker David Weprin Tuesday night for New York’s Ninth Congressional District seat that Anthony Weiner vacated three months ago.
It marks the first time since 1923 that Republicans have won in this district, which consists of parts of New York City’s Queens and Brooklyn boroughs.
Turner, a retired cable television executive, won by a 54% to 46% margin, getting 32,403 votes to Weprin's 27,599. Turner, 70, lost to Weiner in last year’s general election by a 59% to 41% margin in a district where Democrats hold a 3-to-1 voter registration edge.
Political observers cited voter discontent with the economy and President Obama’s policies, and fallout from the scandal engulfing Weiner, 47, who resigned June 16 after admitting he had conducted sexually explicit online conversations with several women and sent them suggestive photos of himself.
Turner is a former president and chief executive of Pearson Plc’s North American television operations. Weprin has held senior public finance positions with Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, Kidder Peabody & Co., Paine Webber Inc., Advest, and Sterne Agee, where he led a push into the Northeast.
