NEW YORK – Republicans scored an upset victory in a congressional election on Tuesday in a Democratic stronghold of New York, trumpeting the win as a sign of voter discontent with President Barack Obama.
Less than a week after Mr Obama delivered a $447 billion jobs plan, New York city voters handed Republican Bob Turner – a retired media executive – a 6 percentage point victory.
“We’ve been asked by the people of this district to send a message to Washington and I hope they hear it loud and clear,” Mr Turner told supporters. “We’re ready to say, Mr President, we are on the wrong track.”
Mr Turner defeated Democrat assemblyman David Weprin to win the special US House of Representatives election for the seat vacated by Anthony Winner, who resigned after a sex scandal.