After Congressmember Bob Turner’s loss in the U.S. Senate Republican primary, it is unclear what he’ll do next, as his district will be split up at the end of this year.
Turner lost the Republican primary to Manhattan lawyer Wendy Long — who will now run against incumbent Senator Kirsten Gillibrand.
Despite the loss — and a major endorsement from former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani — Turner said after Long’s victory that he would work to support the nominee in her run against Gillibrand.
“I pledge to work with Ms. Long to unite all Republicans and Conservatives in the effort to defeat Kirsten Gillibrand in November,” he said.
Turner, a Queens native, recently made headlines when he protested a principal’s decision not to have children sing “God Bless the U.S.A.” at P.S. 90’s moving up ceremony. Turner showed up at the Brooklyn school with a group of flag-waving children, who sang a rendition of the 1984 country music hit.
Before seeking a life in public office, Turner worked in media entertainment companies. He retired in 2003. Turner, according to his congressional biography, spent his entire life living within District 9.
The former cable executive twill have served just more than a year on Capitol Hill, representing areas including Howard Beach, Ozone Park, Woodhaven, Maspeth and the Rockaways. These neighborhoods will now be part of Districts 6, 7 and 8.
Turner won the special election last September, beating out State Assemblymember David Weprin following the resignation of Anthony Weiner, and became the first Republican to hold the seat since 1922. Prior to that, he ran against Weiner in the 2010 Congressional election.
“This is a historic race,” Turner said upon his 2011 victory.
Repeated calls to Turner’s representatives for comment on future plans were not returned.
