Richard Aborn is the former head of Handgun Control (Brady Campaign.) He’s directly responsible for the Brady Law and the ’94 Clinton gun ban. He based his campaign for Manhattan DA entirely upon his gun control record. He hadn’t tried a case in like 20 years so it’s not as if he could base it on his extensive legal experience.
He spent the last year on the campaign trail talking about gun control. He raised over a million dollars for his campaign. He had more endorsements than either of his opponents including ones from Congresswoman Carolyn McCarthy, State Senators Eric Schneiderman and Eric Adams, Assemblypersons Jonathan Bing, Deborah Glick, Richard Gottfried, Brian Kavanagh, Daniel O’Donnell, Linda Rosenthal and Michelle Schimel, the Brady Campaign, Gun Free Kids, Million Mom March and New Yorkers Against Gun Violence. The Brady Campaign donated $1000. NYAGV founder Barbara Hohlt and current mouthpiece Jackie Hilly each made personal campaign contributions.
Aborn repeatedly attacked the NRA and accused them of being out to get him. He attacked opponent Cy Vance for a small campaign donation he made years ago to a politician in Seattle who just so happened to be pro-gun. He sent out a mailer of him shaking hands with Bill Clinton, implying Clinton endorsed Aborn, which pissed Clinton off because he didn’t. Aborn attacked the R&P and thought it was funny we would tell members to vote against him. He finished up by making a last minute personal loan of $50,000 to his campaign.
The end result?
Aborn had his butt kicked up and down the boro. He didn’t just lose; he came in dead last with only a quarter of the votes. He did so badly it should damage the creditability of those who endorsed him because a solid majority of Manhattan Democrats wanted nothing to do with him or his agenda.
Excellent news on both Aborn and Middletown. I think a little gloating is in order on Aborn’s Huffpo blog.
Question for those well informed:
Can we attribute Aborns’ loss to his one track mind campaign or were there other factors?
Or is Liu just a lot more qualified?
Meant to ask if Vance is a lot more qualified.
I attribute Aborn’s loss to the total inability of the gun control politicians and groups to deliver the money, manpower and votes. They demonstrated their issue is a total loser at the ballot box. If they can’t get Democrats in Manhattan to go along with them then they can’t do it anywhere. Aborn wanted a referendum on gun control and he got it.
At least Vance has some real courtroom experience.
WOW (second time this week). That is a great sign.
Thanks!
Can’t help but wish we could vote for Supreme Court Justices. Don’t think the Wise Latina’s no right of self defense belief would have garnered many votes.
Even in Manhattan. Absolutely unbelievable.
Wonder if she believes holocaust victims had a right to defend themselves against the Nazis.