‘Grimm’-inal intent
Felon ex-pol in ‘toss-up’ for SI’s GOP primary
In a political world where now anything is possible . . .
A convicted criminal who once threatened a reporter’s life is in position to beat a crime-fighting incumbent in the primary for a Staten Island congressional seat, insiders and voters told The Post.
Michael Grimm — who lost the seat in early 2015 after he was convicted as a tax cheat and sent to prison for eight months — has a real shot at pulling off the upset to topple Republican Rep. Dan Donovan, a three-term district attorney, according to county officials.
“It’s a toss-up,” said former SI GOP County Chairman John Antoniello, about the June 26 primary. “It’s not a good situation. You have two good Republicans running against each other. Somebody has to win and somebody has to lose.”
One Donovan backer, a wellknown GOP insider, figured Grimm has a “60-40” chance of winning.
And ex-Rep. Vito Fossella — who stepped down from the same seat in 2009 after it was revealed the married congressman had a secret family in Virginia — said “it’s a real horse race,” although he expects Donovan to prevail.
The race should be a slam dunk for Donovan, who served as a popular DA for 12 years before replacing Grimm in 2015 after the ex-FBI agent was convicted of tax evasion in connection with a Manhattan restaurant he ran. Donovan has the support of both the Republican and Conservative Party establishments.
But, like Fossella before him, Grimm was always popular among his constituents — winning re-election by 10 points while under indictment in 2014. A charismatic, relentless campaigner, his personality and grass-roots presence connects with many Staten Island voters.
Grimm also garnered a measure of infamy for threatening to throw a NY1 reporter off a balcony in the Capitol when asked about the probe of his finances.
“Let me be clear to you, you ever do that to me again I’ll throw you off this f--king balcony,” Grimm said to Michael Scotto.
When Scotto asked, “Why, it’s a valid question?” a raging Grimm said: “No, no, you’re not man enough . . . I’ll break you in half. Like a boy.” He later apologized.
But that same bad-boy bravado appears to play well for the former Marine, at least in some parts of Staten Island: He recently attended a fundraiser for Women of the World, which aids victims of domestic violence, where he was treated like a rock star.
“Grimm was working the tables and women were swooning,” one attendee said.
In the borough’s New Dorp Lane shopping district recently there was no shortage of Grimm supporters — and lawn signs.
“Grimm all the way!” said Janice Kennedy, 47, of Graniteville.
She proudly recalled the time following Hurricane Sandy when Grimm came to her then-New Dorp home to help with cleanup efforts.
As for Grimm’s tax conviction, she said, “He did his time, he deserves a second chance.”
Drew Coscia, 58, said, “I like Grimm. He’s for Staten Island. Donovan has a lot of experience, but Grimm is always there and aware of what’s going on in the community. Grimm is better for the borough.”
Donovan also has supporters, of course.
“I like what’s he’s done for us. I think he’s done good things now and as the DA,” said Anthony Scotto, 71, an Eltingville Republican who called Grimm “a little rough around the edges.”
The likely Democratic nominee is Max Rose, a decorated Army veteran and current infantry commander.