What’s next after the Weiner scandal

Anthony Weiner’s official resignation from office took place at midnight on Tuesday, June 21, closing the book on the weeks-long sexting saga, but also raising questions as to what happens next – both with Weiner and his congressional seat.
Since announcing his resignation at last Thursday’s press conference in Brooklyn, offers from both Hustler Magazine founder Larry Flynt and the HBO show Entourage have flooded in to the now ex-congressmember.
Weiner, who has taken to radio silence following his resignation, has given no indication of what he plans to do next.
“I’ll be looking for other ways to contribute my talents to make sure that we live up to the most New York and American of ideals,” Weiner said during his resignation speech.
Prior to the scandal, Weiner had been a leading candidate for the mayor’s seat in 2013.
Former politicians have often turned to media upon leaving office. Even disgraced pols have had little trouble finding jobs in the field. Former Governor Eliot Spitzer began writing for the web site Slate after he resigned amid a prostitution scandal and last year joined CNN hosting “In the Arena.” Rod Blagojevich took to reality shows following his removal as Illinois governor.
His time as a congressmember allows the 46-year-old Weiner to begin collecting his congressional pension starting at $46,224 at 62-years-old, according to the National Taxpayers Union. He could also choose to begin receiving his pension at the age of 56 for the reduced amount of $32, 357.
The vacancy that Weiner’s resignation opened will most likely be filled through special election. When Chris Lee, a congressmember from New York’s 26th Congressional District, resigned earlier this year under similar circumstances, a special election was held to fill the seat.
Candidates for the seat include Republicans Bob Turner who pulled 40 percent of the vote against Weiner in the last election and Councilmember Eric Ulrich, who has the support of Rudy Giuliani and Democrats Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley, whose cousin Joe Crowley is the Queens Democratic Leader, former Councilmember Melinda Katz, Councilmembers James Gennaro, Mark Weprin, Assemblymember Rory Lancman and Jay Otano, legal counsel to Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz.
There is also the question of whether the Ninth Congressional District will survive the redistricting that will be required due to population losses from the 2010 census. New York which currently has 29 Congressional Districts will lose two representatives as a result. The redistricting will occur before the congressional elections in 2012.
Several media reports have suggested that Weiner’s old district could be in line to be eliminated, so any candidate elected may hold the office for only a limited time.