Ex-Rep. Anthony Weiner, jailed for sexting child, eyes political comeback in New York City Council

Former U.S. Rep. Anthony Weiner has filed for a seat in the New York City Council, launching a potential political comeback after his once-promising career was destroyed by sexting scandals and a criminal conviction for illegal online con…

Former US Representative Anthony Weiner has run for a seat on the New York City Council, launching a potential political comeback after his once-promising career was destroyed by sexting scandals and later a criminal conviction for illegal online contact with a child.

Campaign finance records list a campaign committee formed for Weiner on Friday, called Weiner 25, and also list him as a candidate for a council seat in Lower Manhattan.

In a phone call Tuesday with The Associated Press, Weiner, a Democrat, said he is “still investigating” whether he will actually campaign for the office. He said he opened the committee late last week so he could participate in a forum later this week held by the Downtown Independent Democrats.

He referred additional questions to recent statements he made on his weekly radio show “The Middle with Anthony Weiner,” where he said, “I haven’t decided yet if I want to do this,” as he discussed the personal dynamics of returning to politics.

Weiner represented a New York City congressional district for about 12 years before resigning in 2011 after sending lewd photos to several women. He attempted a comeback to run for mayor in 2013, but was damaged by new revelations of explicit photos sent by Weiner under the online alias “Carlos Danger.”

Weiner pleaded guilty in 2017 to illegal online contact with a 15-year-old girl and was sentenced to 21 months in prison. He was released in 2019 and ordered to register as sex offender.

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Izaguirre reported from Albany, NY