By Howard Koplowitz
U.S. Sen Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) endorsed state Assemblyman David Weprin (D-Little Neck) Tuesday to replace former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner in Congress.
Schumer, who was Weiner’s predecessor in the House, said he was backing Weprin because of his stances on Medicare and Social Security and said Weprin would fight for the middle class in Congress.
“It is vital we preserve Medicare and Social Security and the only candidate for Congress who will do that is David Weprin,” Schumer said in a statement. “David Weprin is someone we can count on to stand up for the middle-class Brooklyn and Queens families. He will fight against the reckless, extreme right-wing Republican policies that seek to reduce the deficit on the backs of working families and seniors, while protecting tax subsidies for Big Oil companies.
“As we work to close tax loopholes for companies that ship jobs overseas, preserve and protect Medicare and reform our government so it works more efficiently and effectively for everyone, we need a leader like David fighting for us,” Schumer said.
The senator’s endorsement comes a week after a Siena College poll showed Weprin with a slim, six-point lead over his Republican opponent, retired Rockaway businessman Bob Turner.
The same poll found that an endorsement from Schumer carries the most influence among voters in the district, which includes portions of southern and western Queens and Brooklyn.
Of the 501 likely voters polled, 40 percent said an endorsement from Schumer would make them more likely to support the candidate the senator chose to back.
“I am humbled to receive the support of Sen. Schumer in my candidacy to represent the people of the 9th Congressional District in Congress,” Weprin said in a statement. “Sen. Schumer is one of our nation’s most trusted and successful advocates for working-class families. I look forward to working with Sen. Schumer to put New Yorkers back to work, protect Social Security and Medicare for middle-class families and put our economy back on track.”
Reach reporter Howard Koplowitz by e-mail at hkoplowitz@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
