NY GOP Takes Action to Remove ‘The Biggest Loser’ Trainer Cara Castronuova from Senate Primary

In a surprising turn of events, former “The Biggest Loser” trainer Cara Castronuova is facing opposition from influential Republicans in her bid to run for the US Senate. Castronuova, who is looking to challenge three-term Democrat incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, first needs to win a primary against GOP pick Mike Sapraicone, a retired NYPD detective. However, Queens Republican Party chairman Anthony Nunziato has challenged the signatures collected on behalf of Castronuova, hoping to disqualify her from the contest.

What makes this situation even more intriguing is the involvement of convicted felon John Haggerty, who was responsible for mailing the challenge paperwork on behalf of Nunziato. Haggerty, who has close ties to the state Republican Party leadership, was convicted of stealing $750,000 from a trust fund belonging to former Mayor Mike Bloomberg. Castronuova’s campaign believes that the attempt to disqualify her is retaliatory after she previously sued the state Republican Party and Board of Elections.

The controversy doesn’t end there. Businessman Josh Eisen, who is also seeking ballot access for the GOP primary, is facing a separate petition challenge. Both Castronuova and Eisen failed to garner 25% of the weighted delegates’ vote at the state party convention, which would have qualified them for ballot status. The only other way for them to get on the ballot is by collecting 15,000 signatures from registered Republicans.

Nunziato defended his decision to try to disqualify Castronuova, stating that he wants to ensure the validity of her signatures. However, Castronuova believes that it is unfair for a convicted felon to be involved in the process and that the attempt to disqualify her is an infringement on her constitutional right to fair ballot access.

Former President Donald Trump, who has endorsed Sapraicone, also adds an interesting dynamic to the situation. With Trump’s influence and endorsement, Sapraicone has gained significant support within the party.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen whether Castronuova and Eisen will be able to withstand the objections under New York’s hypertechnical election law. The battle for ballot access in the GOP primary is heating up, and voters are left wondering whether they will have a choice in the upcoming Senate race.