Representing New York's 9th

Member of the Week : Anthony Weiner – Representing New York’s 9th District

Being vocal in politics is a double-edged sword.  The ability to build your reputation through sound bites can isolate or worse yet distort your political leanings.  In the case of Anthony Weiner, U.S. Representative for New York’s 9^th District, the intense and demanding nature he brings to his work has distinguished him amongst his peers.  Though not as influential as say a Paul Ryan or well known as a Dennis Kucinich, Anthony Weiner continues to build a persona defined by rigorous support for the middle class policies of the Democratic Party.  As such, he is our Member of the Week.

Born in Brooklyn, New York to a neighborhood lawyer and a mathematics teacher, Weiner always a displayed a clear intellect as a child.  His debating skills – which have now become YouTube must-sees – were honed at the kitchen table with his parents and two brothers.  As a child he attended Brooklyn Technical High School – one of the best magnet schools in the United States according to a 2006 report by the Washington Post – and after graduating went on to attend the State University of New York at Plattsburgh, where he played hockey.  Weiner originally aspired to be a television weatherman but after becoming active in student government he discovered his newfound passion for the rough-and-tumble of politics.  In a 2005 interview with the New York Times Weiner recalled how he realized that politics was his true calling after dominating a mock state Assembly meeting in Albany, winning several award for debating.

After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985, Weiner and Jon Stewart, of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart, became roommates.  During this time, Weiner worked on the staff of then-Congressman and current Senator Chuck Schumer.  As a staffer, he came to the realization that he eventually wanted his own seat in Congress, though he was unsure where to start.  He considered moving to Florida, where he could attend law school and put down roots in an area where transplanted New Yorkers were gaining political influence.  Sensing the potential in his young aide, Charles Schumer sent Weiner to his District Office in Brooklyn in 1988 encouraging him to become involved in local politics.

Using his position in Schumer’s district office to network with community leaders, Weiner ran for New York City Council in 1991.  After facing a three-way primary and a four-way general election, Anthony Weiner – at the age of 27 – became the youngest person to serve on the Council at that time.  Over the next seven years on the Council, Weiner became involved in the creation of programs that attempted to address quality of life concerns.  As the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Public Housing, he increasing federal funding and added more police officers to neighborhood patrols.  Moreover, he exposed dangerous practices that lead to the replacement of flammable paint in developments citywide.

Weiner’s career in the U.S. House began in 1998.  It was at this time that Charles Schumer decided to challenge incumbent Republican Senator Alphonse D’Amato.  Seeing the opportunity to follow in his mentor’s footsteps, Weiner used his reputation as a hard-working and scrappy campaigner to overcome a field of opponents in the Democratic primary that included two members of the state Assembly and another member of the City Council.  After a late endorsement from Schumer, Weiner won the primary by fewer than 500 votes.  With the 9^th District heavily Democratic, he cruised to a general election win.  Since his election in 1998, Weiner has not faced a serious challenge for re-election to the House.

Surprisingly, the ambitions of Anthony Weiner do not end there.  Nor do they end with a seat in the U.S. Senate.  Instead, his end-goal may be seen back in New York City (NYC) as the eventual mayor.  His desire to be mayor of New York City is in no-way hidden.  In 2005, he failed in his attempt to win the Democratic nomination for the NYC mayoral election.  Despite starting last in many polls, he gained ground in the final weeks of the campaign.  He eventually dropped out and endorsed his opponent, citing the need for party unity.  In 2009 he appeared to be a candidate for mayor but backed away once more.  He will undoubtedly be at the forefront of the 2013 mayoral election.  You might be wondering how Weiner has been able to run or consider running for mayor without forfeiting his congressional seat.  Well wonder no more; Weiner has the fortune of hailing from a state with off-year mayoral elections.

As a loyal Democrat, Anthony Weiner has garnered high rating from traditional liberal interest groups, such as the American Civil Liberties Union, the League of Conservation Voters and numerous labor unions.  Furthermore, he as voted with his party nearly 97% of the time.  Though he sits on the Committee on Energy and Commerce, with a seat in the Subcommittee on Health and Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, Anthony Weiner’s political influence will most likely be seen in his continued pursuit of becoming mayor of New York City.  For the time being, he continues to revel in his role as a vocal spearhead of Democratic domestic policy and a thorn in the side of those Republicans unfortunate to feel his wrath.

– Amendment202

Like our article on Anthony Weiner, check out more Members of the week!