A Bizarre New York Congressional Race Has Become A 'Hot Mess' For Democrats

By most conventional measures, Rep. Michael Grimm (R-N.Y.) should have no chance winning his bid for re-election when the votes come in Tuesday night.

The two-term lawmaker is facing a 20-count federal indictment. His swing district was previously held by a Democrat and was won by President Barack Obama in 2012. Grimm also has more debt in his campaign war chest than cash on hand.

To add to these troubles, Grimm has been dogged by a series of strange incidents. He drew national headlines after he threatened to throw a reporter off a Capitol balcony. There are corruption allegations involving an Israeli rabbi. And he was accused of having a 17-minute romp in a Brooklyn bar bathroom last year.

Yet Siena College released a poll last Friday showing Grimm crushing his opponent, former City Councilman Domenic Recchia (D), by a whopping 19 points.

Democratic operatives told Business Insider they were amazed the race wasn't in the bag for their party.

"How a voter could stand by a guy facing 300 years in prison is beyond me," one said.

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