After being embroiled in a high-profile online sex scandal, Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.) has officially announced his resignation in a very short press conference at 2:22 PM today. The press conference was held at the same senior center in which he launched his City Council campaign 20 years ago before a rowdy crowd of both hecklers and supporters.
After parading his middle class roots as a public school student whose mother was a school teacher and whose father went to law school on the G.I. Bill, he apologized to his constitutes and especially his wife. Originally, Weiner wanted to continue the work that he was selected to perform but decided that it was not possible. He said he wanted to let his colleagues get back to work, try to repair his relationship with his wife and “continue to heal from the damage I have caused.”
After saying that he went into politics to give voice to those who do not have one he opened the door for a return to politics said that “leading a family, a community and ultimately a country is the one thing that unites us” and that he would look for other ways to apply his talents to that common goal.
The decision came amid mounting pressure to leave office from House leaders, including the lower chamber’s top Democrat, Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). Earlier this week, House Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.) pressed Democrats to strip Weiner of his committee assignments.
Earlier this month, Weiner admitted that he had online relationships with at least six women both before and during his recent marriage. The revelation came after the Congressman inadvertently Tweeted a risque picture of his crotch and then blamed the gaffe on hackers.
Before the scandal, Weiner had been a favorite to replace Michael Bloomberg as the next Mayor of New York. Governor Andrew Cuomo will have to hold a special election to fill his seat, which may soon be lost to redistricting.