May 5 election set to replace Michael Grimm in Congress

The special election in New York to replace former congressman Michael Grimm has been set for May 5.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Friday announced the election date to replace Grimm, a Republican who resigned in disgrace in January after pleading guilty to a charge of felony tax evasion. The former FBI agent had represented the 11th District, covering all of Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, since 2011.

Cuomo, a Democrat, expressed concern about the costs of a special election and was under court order to set the election date by Friday at noon. State law gives the governor discretion on setting the special election date and says a timeline should be announced after a reasonable time following the vacancy occurring. Grimm's resignation was effective Jan. 5 — the day before House members were sworn in for the the 114th Congress.

Daniel Donovan, the district attorney for Staten Island, is the leading candidate to succeed Grimm. Donovan gained national attention last year as the prosecutor in the case surrounding the chokehold death of Eric Garner. A Staten Island grand jury declined to indict the white police officer seen on video with his arms around the neck of Garner, a black man, who said, "I can't breathe."

The special election for the congressional seat will be held at the same time as an election for a vacant state Assembly seat. The New York City Board of Elections estimated the special election tab will be about $1.25 million for both elections, according to a NY1 report.