Disgraced former congressman Anthony Weiner, a registered sex offender, is eyeing a shocking political comeback in New York City.
At a Glance
- Anthony Weiner is considering running for New York City Council District 2
- Weiner resigned from Congress in 2011 after multiple sexting scandals
- He served nearly two years in prison for transferring obscene material to a minor
- Weiner’s actions indirectly affected Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign
- He faces significant opposition and skepticism about his potential return to politics
A Controversial Comeback Attempt
Anthony Weiner, the former New York congressman whose political career was derailed by multiple sexting scandals, is now considering a run for New York City Council. Weiner’s potential bid for District 2, which includes neighborhoods like Gramercy, the Lower East Side, and Greenwich Village, marks yet another attempt at a political comeback for the disgraced Democrat.
Weiner’s political downfall began in 2011 when he resigned from Congress after admitting to sexting multiple women. His 2013 mayoral campaign collapsed due to another sexting scandal under the alias “Carlos Danger.” The final blow came in 2017 when he pleaded guilty to transferring obscene material to a minor, resulting in a 21-month prison sentence.
A History of Scandals and Their Consequences
Weiner’s actions not only destroyed his own political career but also had far-reaching consequences. His behavior indirectly affected Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign due to his then-wife Huma Abedin’s role as a top Clinton aide. The discovery of Clinton’s emails on Weiner’s laptop led to a reopening of the FBI investigation into Clinton’s use of a private email server, just days before the election.
“I got removed from society. That happened. I was removed from society for 18 months and five days, and for years I have lived as a civilian in this neighborhood.” Weiner said. “Maybe this campaign will be an opportunity for me to engage those people, even if they do not like what I did.”
Despite his scandalous past, Weiner believes he deserves another chance at public service. He has registered a campaign committee named “Weiner 25” for City Council District 2, although he claims he is still in the exploratory phase. Weiner’s potential return to politics raises serious questions about redemption, second chances, and the judgment of voters.
Opposition and Skepticism
Weiner’s potential candidacy has already faced significant opposition. Other candidates in the district, such as Sarah Batchu and Andrea Gordillo, have expressed strong disapproval of his potential return to politics. Batchu stated, “Everyone deserves a second chance. But this guy has had third, fourth and fifth chances.” Gordillo added, “Families in Lower Manhattan deserve better than failed New York and Washington politicians using our moment of need for their own political comeback.”
A Test for New York Voters
As Weiner engages with constituents and participates in public events, such as a recent interview at Astor Place Hairstylists in Manhattan, he faces an uphill battle in persuading voters to give him another chance. His past actions have not only damaged his own reputation but have also had far-reaching consequences for his party and the country as a whole.
