Queens Chronicle - David Weprin Touts Record in House Bid

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By Anna Gustafson

Despite a deluge of speculation that Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) is offering himself as a sacrificial lamb in the fire of politics by running for the 9th Congressional district that many say is a prime target for elimination, the legislator this week said he believes he's in the federal game for the long haul.

New York has to lose two seats in the House of Representatives because its population grew more slowly than other parts of the country, according to federal Census numbers that have been widely disputed among New York officials and residents. Some political analysts, as well as legislators, have said the 9th Congressional District is top on the list to be axed, particularly after former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner vacated the seat last month after admitting he sent lewd photos to women via social networking sites.

"When I discussed this with party leaders, they said they didn't want a caretaker congressman," Weprin said in reference to redistricting. "They wanted me to do the best job that I could, and I thought my background could add value. If I do this job for 18 months, or 18 years, I'll do the best job I can and not worry about reapportionment."

The Queens County Democrats tapped Weprin, 55, of Holliswood, on Thursday to run for the seat that includes Forest Hills, Fresh Meadows, Glendale, Hillcrest, Howard Beach, Jamaica Hills, Kew Gardens, Kew Gardens Hills, Maspeth, Middle Village, Ozone Park, Rego Park, Richmond Hill, Rockaway Park, Rockaway Point, Woodhaven and parts of Brooklyn.

Weprin lives a couple of blocks outside the district, which candidates are allowed to do, and said he doesn't expect his residency to be an issue. State Sen. Joe Addabbo Jr. (D-Howard Beach) agreed and said Weprin has name recognition even in neighborhoods far from Weprin's usual stomping grounds in the northern sections of the borough -- areas like Howard Beach and Ozone Park -- in part because of his failed bid for the citywide position of comptroller in 2009.

He is running against Bob Turner, a Republican who garnered 40 percent of the vote when he ran against Weiner in 2010.

Weprin has yet to hold any campaign kickoff event and said everything from fundraising to constituent outreach is in its infancy, though a number of top Democrats have been quick to endorse Weprin, or at the very least issue kind words about the politician who spent eight years in the City Council and served as the chairman of its Finance Committee before winning the Assembly seat previously held by his brother, now Councilman Mark Weprin (D-Oakland Gardens).

U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) have endorsed Weprin. Silver replaced David Weprin's father, Saul Weprin, as Assembly speaker after the elder Weprin died in 1994.

"I have known David Weprin, and his family, for years," Silver said in a statement. "We have worked together on many issues important to New Yorkers in general, and the Jewish community in particular. David Weprin has always believed in the safety and security of the state of Israel."

Gov. Cuomo has not officially endorsed him, though he did say during a recent press conference that he would do anything asked of him to help Weprin in his campaign. He has received official stamps of approval from the Working Families and Independence parties.

"As the Washington Republicans threaten to default on our national debt and end Medicare as we know it for millions of seniors, the people of Brooklyn and Queens can count on David Weprin to stand up for working families," Dan Cantor, executive director of the WFP, said in a prepared statement. "Throughout his time in the City Council and the state Assembly, David Weprin has earned our respect and admiration as a public leader. He's a real mensch."

Weprin, a father of five and grandfather of one who lives with his wife, Ronni, said, if elected, he would fight cuts to Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security.

"I also feel very strong about security for the state of Israel," said Weprin, who condemned U.S. President Barack Obama's speech in mid-May calling for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal that would be based on Israel's pre-1967 borders.

"I expect to be a strong advocate for the state of Israel, even if it means standing up to the president," Weprin said.

Weprin said he would use his background as chairman of the Council's Finance Committee, a lawyer, a financial adviser and a senior banking official under former Gov. Mario Cuomo to increase the number of jobs in the district, and throughout the country, which has a 9.2 percent unemployment rate.

"I'm going to be able to hit the ground running," Weprin said.

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