Report: Weiner Playing Powerbroker

Officially out of office for less than a week, Anthony Weiner is seeking to play a role in choosing his successor, the New York Post reported Tuesday.

The disgraced former congressman - who resigned in a sexting scandal - is “trying to insert himself back into politics” by speaking with local party leaders and potential Democratic candidates to succeed him in the Queens-based district, the paper says.

One source said: “I think it’s a very natural thing for him to do. This is something he cares about.”

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has yet to select a date for the special election, though NBC New York first reported last week that it would take place concurrent with the state’s September primary election.

Cuomo spokesman Josh Vlasto said Tuesday that no date has been selected and declined to say a choice will be made.

In New York, candidates for special elections are selected by local party leaders. The Queens Democratic chairman, Rep. Joe Crowley, has yet to indicate his choice, though possible candidates include current and former New York City council members Elizabeth Crowley – his cousin – Eric Gioia, Melinda Katz, Mark Weprin and state assembly members Rory Lancman and David Weprin, the Post writes.

Only two Republican names have been seriously floated for the seat: City councilman Eric Ulrich and Robert Turner, who lost a closer-than-expected race to Weiner in 2010.

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