A member of Congress under indictment runs for re-election and wins. But soon after winning another term, he’s out of office when pleading guilty to a corruption charge.
Sound familiar? It’s not the story of former Rep. Chris Collins in western New York, but Michael Grimm, who represented a Staten Island district until his ouster in 2015.
Grimm’s resignation, just days after he was due to start his new term, triggered a court fight over filling his seat.
Republicans filed a federal lawsuit meant to push Gov. Andrew Cuomo to declare a special election — a stance a federal judge ultimately backed.
Cuomo, based on a ruling that required him to set a special election or explain the delay, scheduled a vote for the Grimm seat later that May.
Collins’s resignation ahead of his expected guilty plea in his insider trading case is taking place later in his term, but it’s believed the same circumstances in the Grimm case could apply.
The development could scramble the emerging field of Republicans who are eyeing the western New York congressional seat: Sens. Robert Ortt and Chris Jacobs as well as attorney Beth Parlato. Erie County Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw and Medal of Honor recipient David Bellavia are also considering campaigns.
Nominees for the district would not be up to primary voters, but to party leaders. It’s not clear at the moment who among the declared candidates would have that edge.