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Candidate Profile from Congressional QuarterlyAnthony Weiner (D) of BrooklynOpen Seat
In 1991, at age 27, Anthony Weiner became the youngest person ever elected to the New York City Council. When he comes to Capitol Hill next year, at age 34, he again will be one of the youngest in the chamber. Weiner will replace his former boss, Democratic Rep. Charles E. Schumer. Weiner worked for six years in Schumer's Brooklyn and Washington offices and likely will be following closely in his predecessor's footsteps. Weiner says he would like to serve on the same House committees as Schumer: Banking and Financial Services and Judiciary, although Weiner said he hopes the latter has completed its impeachment proceedings by the time he comes to office. Legislatively, Weiner wants to protect Social Security cost of living increases and improve Medicare services. He also wants to work on educational issues, increasing the government's role in school construction and bringing the Internet to students. During his time on the City Council, Weiner created an anti-graffiti group that was made up of at-risk and troubled teens and dubbed "Weiner's Cleaners." A product of the public school system, Weiner said his family was of modest means. His mother is a schoolteacher and his father a neighborhood lawyer. Weiner did not become interested in politics until college, when he ran for the student government. He lost his first bid, campaigning on slogans such as "Vote for Weiner. He'll be frank"; "Weiner's on a roll"; and "You'll relish Weiner." |