Democratic congressional candidate David Weprin unleashed the big guns — make that long, slender guns — in his bid to succeed disgraced Rep. Anthony Weiner: Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, the legendary singer from the retro doo-wop band Sha Na Na.
Bowzer, a native Brooklynite known for his “greaser” garb, pompadour hairstyle, baritone voice, thin frame, and patented bicep-bulging pose, sang the Queens assemblyman’s praises during a last ditch pitch for votes at the John Malone Community Center on Bergen Avenue in Bergen Beach on Wednesday.
Bowzer extolled Weprin’s commitment to keep Social Security and Medicare intact to the 250 lunching seniors — many of whom fondly remembered watching the Sha Na Na television show in the late 1970s.
“Being a member of Sha Na Na, I think I have a pretty good idea about the types of ‘Magic Changes’ we need in Congress,” said the Julliard-trained Bowzer, referring to one of his staple songs. “Our nation doesn’t need another Tea Party Member of Congress bent on destroying the social safety net for families here and across the country.”
Weprin’s opponent GOP nominee Bob Turner, said that he wants to keep Social Security and Medicare for residents 55-years-old and older, but said the entitlements must be revamped for younger generations.
Yet Weprin claims that Turner will hurt all Social Security and Medicare recipients: the deep spending cuts his Republican challenger has proposed will undoubtedly cut into the two programs, he claims.
Also on hand to cheer Weprin on were Councilman Lew Fidler (D–Marine Park) and Borough President Markowitz.
“Brooklyn seniors paid their share into Social Security and Medicare their entire lives,” Markowitz said. “These are benefits they have earned – and they deserve a representative in Congress who will not jeopardize them.”
The special election is set for Sept. 13.
