Election Needed to Replace Michael Grimm in Congress: Federal Judge

A federal judge says he's going to set a date for a special election to replace convicted former U.S. Rep. Michael Grimm unless Gov. Cuomo does so by noon Friday. 

Judge Jack Weinstein in Brooklyn announced his plan Tuesday. He acted in response to a lawsuit brought by voters.

The Republican congressman from Staten Island stepped down Jan. 5 after pleading guilty to tax evasion.

Attorneys for Cuomo told Weinstein that the governor has discretion to delay a special election until the general election in November.

Weinstein said that would be an unjustified delay.

He called the right to representation in government the "central pillar of democracy in this country."

Cuomo spokeswoman Melissa DeRosa says the governor will announce the date for a special election shortly.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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