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Disgraced former Rep. Grimm Considering a Return to Politics

New Yorker served 7 months in prison

Former Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., who served seven months in prison, is eyeing a political comeback. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Former Rep. Michael Grimm, R-N.Y., who served seven months in prison, is eyeing a political comeback. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)

Disgraced former Rep. Michael Grimm is considering a return to politics by running for Staten Island’s borough president.

The New York Republican would have to start by staging a primary challenge to Republican Borough President James Oddo.

Some Republicans were contacted for a push poll that seemed to gauge interest in a match between Grimm and Oddo, silive.com reported.

But when asked, Grimm said, “I have no comment other than, look a lot of people have asked me to run.” 

Grimm resigned from Congress in 2015 after being indicted for tax evasion, hiring undocumented immigrants and perjury. Rep. Dan Donovan, R-N.Y., now occupies his seat.

Grimm served seven months in federal prison and was released in May 2016, one month early.

Sources told the newspaper that former Rep. Guy Molinari, a mentor of Grimm, held a meeting last week to discuss a comeback, but Molinari dismissed that.

“I have friends come to see me at a gathering probably bimonthly and we talk about things to keep friendships going,” Molinari said.

Oddo, who is supposedly considering a surrogate judge position, brushed off concerns when asked about a Grimm challenge.

“I am confident in the relationship we have built with the people of Staten Island through hard work, integrity, and authenticity,” Oddo said. “So, regardless of who is contemplating running against us, my reaction is the same: ‘Come get some.’”

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