Rudy Giuliani has a lot on his plate these days, but he says he’s going to take time to campaign for Rep. Dan Donovan to keep his seat from falling into Democratic hands.
“Dan stepped in and he’s been an excellent congressman. We owe him that loyalty,” said the former mayor, who is advising President Trump on the Russia investigation.
Donovan is facing a strong primary challenge from former Rep. Michael Grimm, who is attempting a comeback after being forced to resign following a 2014 tax fraud conviction.
Giuliani said he harbors no ill feelings toward Grimm, whom he regarded as a “good congressman” before his downfall.
The primary is on June 26.
“Dan is a good congressman. Why are we playing around with this seat? I feel Grimm should back off,” said Giuliani.
Republican insiders say the race is a toss-up because the hard-charging Grimm, an ex-Marine and FBI agent, has a base of passionate supporters in the district.
Giuliani said he’s concerned that Democrats would have a better shot at capturing the seat if Grimm is the GOP nominee rather than Donovan, a three-term district attorney.
“Dan would be a safe bet. Dan would win re-election for sure,” Giuliani said.
“With Grimm as the nominee, it would be a battle to hold the seat. It would be a heavier lift.”
The likely Democratic nominee is Max Rose, a decorated Army veteran and current infantry commander in the National Guard.
Grimm resigned his seat in 2015 after being convicted of tax evasion in connection with a restaurant he owned. He served 16 months in prison.
Donovan has the support of both the Republican and Conservative Party establishments and also has the backing of the Independence Party.
Grimm is running a write-in campaign in the Conservative Party primary in a bid to snatch that ballot line from Donovan.
Both candidates are claiming to be the one who is more in sync with President Trump, who carried the congressional district against Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential campaign.
Giuliani said he expects Trump will stay out of the race.