WASHINGTON (JTA) — David Weprin, the Democrat running to replace disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner, declined for now to endorse President Obama’s re-election.
"I’m running myself right now," the New York Post quoted Weprin as saying Aug. 4. "On Sept. 14, I’ll be happy to address the president’s election."
“Don’t read anything into it,” he said, regarding his statement.
Sept. 13 is the date for the special election to replace Weiner, who resigned after sending lewd pictures over the Internet.
Former New York Mayor Ed Koch, a Democrat, recently urged residents of New York’s heavily Jewish 9th Congressional District, encompassing chunks of Queens and Brooklyn, to vote for Republican Bob Turner to send a message to Obama that he is not pro-Israel enough.
Weprin, who is Jewish, has criticized the president’s approach toward Israel. He has since secured the endorsement of pro-Israel stalwart Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.).
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