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Trump boosts sitting Bay Ridge congressman in primary race

Ridge Congressman touts returning two-way tolls to Verrazano Bridge
Photo by Georgine Benvenuto

This is yuge.

President Donald Trump made a potentially election-clinching endorsement on Wednesday when he threw his support behind a Bay Ridge congressman in his heated race against the convicted felon who once held the Ridge-to-Rock seat.

The Commander in Chief took to social media to endorse Republican Rep. Dan Donovan, who voters first elected to the office in a 2015 special election after his competitor resigned from the seat in disgrace.

“There is no one better to represent the people of N.Y. and Staten Island (a place I know very well) than @RepDanDonovan, who is strong on Borders & Crime, loves our Military & our Vets, voted for Tax Cuts and is helping me to Make America Great Again,” the 45th President posted to Twitter. “Dan has my full endorsement!”

But Brooklyn’s lone Republican congressman actually defied Trump when he voted against his controversial tax bill back in December, which the majority of his colleagues passed, as well as his party’s attempts to repeal Obamacare.

Donovan’s challenger, who served seven months behind bars for tax fraud following his resignation, criticized the incumbent for his vote, arguing that the president’s show of support would not blind constituents to the sitting congressman’s true colors.

“All the endorsements in the world can’t change the facts: Donovan has failed to pass even one substantive bill into law, and has voted against President Trump every time it’s mattered — from failing to repeal Obamacare, to banning sanctuary cities, and even against tax cuts,” the former pol said.

But Trump’s backing could seal the deal for Donovan, according to the chairman of the newly formed Brooklyn Reform Party, who lost the Republican primary for the Bay Ridge Council seat last September.

“In primaries, it is the extremes of both parties that decide who will win. Although this is unfortunate, in this GOP primary in southwest Brooklyn and Staten Island and, these voters overwhelmingly support President Trump,” said Bob Capano. “The entire rationale behind Michael Grimm’s candidacy has been eviscerated with the President’s strong endorsement of Congressman Donovan.”