Bob Turner

Bob Turner is the Congressman-elect from New York's 9th congressional district. He defeated Democrat David Weprin, a New York assemblyman, in a special election on September 13th, 2011, succeeding Anthony Weiner, who had resigned in June. The seat was last represented by a Republican in 1923, often being held by liberal Democrats, including Charles Schumer and Geraldine Ferraro.

The district lies in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens, a diverse area that normally votes heavily democratic. Many see Turner's election as a rebuke of President Barack Obama's agenda.

Turner is a retired media executive, who first ran for the seat in 2010, gaining 41% of the vote in that race. He has drawn inspiration from the Tea Party movement and has been called "Tea Party Turner" by Democrats.

He announced his 2011 Special Election campaign in Forest Hills on July 11, 2011. He gained early moment, when former New York City Mayor Ed Koch endorsed him on July 25, 2011. In August, polls showed he was six points behind. Strong efforts by the Turner campaign, crucial endorsements from Jewish Leaders wanting to send Obama a message on his poor handling of relations with Israel and gaffes by an opponent who lived outside the district, allowed Turner to gain momentum and by the weekend before the election, polls showed him in the lead.

External links

• Campaign site