Grimm, all alone at debate, assails Recchia’s readiness
Challenger’s spokesperson shoots back at indicted pol
U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm sought to take advantage of the absence of his opponent Domenic Recchia at their first scheduled debate in Bay Ridge on Tuesday, telling voters in the audience that a vote for Recchia is a vote for the policies of Mayor Bill de Blasio, and then telling reporters at a post-debate press conference his opponent is not ready for prime time.
Recchia had sent his regrets to the Bay Ridge Community Council, the sponsor of the Sept. 23 debate held at Holy Angels Catholic Academy, according to Alexander Conti, chairman of the council’s Public Affairs Committee. Recchia’s campaign told the council he had a scheduling conflict and would not be on hand to debate Grimm.
His absence meant that Grimm (R-C-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Staten Island) had the debate stage all to himself. Grimm repeatedly sought to tie Recchia to the progressive policies of de Blasio, who he said is pushing the city in the wrong direction. Recchia voted in lockstep with de Blasio when the two were serving on the City Council together, Grimm charged.