Grimm beats Recchia in Staten Island House race

Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island) won re-election last night despite a federal indictment, defeating Democrat Domenic Recchia, a former city councilman on whom national Democrats had spent big in hopes of flipping a traditionally GOP seat.

"They hit me with everything they had. Everything you could imagine. But we're here tonight victorious," Grimm told cheering supporters last night.

"You had my back when I needed it most, and I'll never forget it," said Grimm, who had 55% to 43% for Recchia with 71% of precincts reporting. There was no immediate concession statement from Recchia after The Associated Press called the race for the Republican.

Grimm ran without support from his national party establishment in the 11th Congressional District, the city's most conservative corner, which covers Staten Island and a sliver of southern Brooklyn.

Assemb. Joseph Borelli (R-Staten Island) said at Grimm's election night reception at a Hilton Garden Inn that voters "really identify" with the incumbent.

Grimm, 44, of Staten Island, is due to stand trial in February after pleading not guilty to a 20-count indictment last April. He is accused of hiring workers without legal immigration status for a Manhattan restaurant he had owned and evading taxes on $1 million in receipts among other charges.

Recchia, 55, of Brooklyn, faltered during the campaign when discussing policy.

He touted as foreign affairs experience his running of a student exchange program with Japan and travels to Italy, and stumbled when asked about free trade.