2011年9月19日星期一

Republicans clinch Weiner NY poll

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14 September 2011 Last updated at 06:05 GMT Bob Turner, center, joined by his wife Peggy, right, and family smiles as he delivers his victory speech during an election night party, New York, Sept 14 2011 Bob Turner said the result sent a "loud and clear" message to Washington Republicans have won a key New York City election billed as a referendum on President Obama's economic policies.

Retired media executive Bob Turner defeated Democratic state assemblyman David Weprin to succeed Democratic Congressman Anthony Weiner.

Mr Weiner, who served in the House for seven terms, resigned in June after a sex texting scandal.

Mr Turner becomes the first Republican to take office in New York's ninth district since the 1920s.

Backed by former New York City mayor Rudolph Giuliani, the 70-year-old had called the vote a "referendum" on President Obama.

Addressing jubilant supporters after his win, Mr Turner - who has called for deep cuts in the federal budget - said people had voted against the president's "irresponsible" fiscal policy.

Correspondents say losing the election will be a symbolic blow to the White House at a moment when President Obama is beginning his bid for re-election amid low approval ratings.

Anthony Weiner resigned in June after it emerged he had sent a series of images to a number of different women via Twitter.

'Wrong track'

With three quarters of ballots counted, Mr Turner won 53% of votes compared to Mr Weprin's 47%, NY1 television reported.

Mr Turner said the result sent a "loud and clear" message to Washington.

"We've been told this is a referendum. Mr President, we are on the wrong track. We have had it with an irresponsible fiscal policy which endangers the entire economy," Mr Turner told supporters, according to AP.

The ninth district, encompassing parts of southern Brooklyn and south-central Queens, has long been a traditional Democratic stronghold.

Registered Republican voters are outnumbered in the traditionally blue-collar, Catholic and Orthodox Jewish district by a margin of three to one.

During the current campaign, the president has been the focus of Republican attacks at least as much as David Weprin, a member of the New York state assembly and the actual Democratic candidate.

In response, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee had reportedly spent more than $500,000 (£320,000) on TV advertisements.

Former President Bill Clinton and New York Governor Andrew Cuomo have recorded phone messages for registered Democrats in an effort to win over undecided voters.

Meanwhile in Nevada, Republican Mark Amodei won the election to fill a vacant seat in the House of Representatives.

Mr Amodei beat Democrat Kate Marshall in the rural northern Nevada district that has never elected a Democrat.


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