Pizon - 2012 Congressional Campaign

2012 Congressional Campaign

In October 2011, Scala announced he was seeking the Democratic nomination to represent New York's Sixth Congressional District in the United States House of Representatives. Due to redistricting, most of the district would become part of the new Fifth Congressional District, and he instead opted to run for that seat. Despite rumors embattled Congressman Gregory Meeks would step down amidst criminal investigations and corruption charges, he also declared himself a candidate. Scala qualified for the ballot, marking the first time Meeks would face a primary challenge since taking office in 1998. Two other candidates, former New York City Councilman Allan Jennings and accountant Joseph Marthone, additionally qualified.

On January 4, 2012, Scala's congressional campaign made the front page of popular social news site Reddit. He received favorable coverage in the Queens Chronicle and Newsday. The Wave, the largest newspaper in the Rockaways, endorsed Scala, writing: "The Wave tradition is to not endorse a candidate in primary elections, but we are breaking that tradition this year because we strongly believe that the present Congressman, Gregory Meeks, has to be moved out of office for the good of the Rockaway community and because we believe that Mike Scala, a young man with good ideas, is the person to replace him." Scala also received endorsements from political blogger Gatemouth, former attorney for the New York State Senate Democrats, and an Indian newspaper in the district. He spoke at local gurdwaras and received an appreciation award from the Baba Makhan Shah Lobana Sikh Center in Richmond Hill.

Scala was the first candidate to call for a public debate in the race. In early June, the three challengers and a Meeks representative met at a candidates forum in Springfield Gardens. Scala criticized Meeks for voting for the Budget Control Act of 2011, which cut Medicare and education, and for being funded by corporate political action committee dollars. It was reported that, of the challengers, Scala leveled the "strongest and most pointed" criticisms of the incumbent. Meeks' representative responded by suggesting the criticisms were naive.

Meeks benefited from endorsements by President Barack Obama and Senator Chuck Schumer, as well as a reported 83-to-1 funding advantage. The Democratic primary took place on June 26, just weeks after Scala graduated Brooklyn Law School. On election night, the New York Times projected Meeks would win the nomination with 66% of the votes. Scala had reportedly amassed 1,417 votes with 92% of precincts reporting. His final vote tally was later reported as 1,694. He was the only challenger to win districts, winning Assembly Districts 23 and 38. He came within 20 votes of winning Assembly Districts 25 and 27. If elected, Scala would have been the youngest member of Congress.

It was later reported that Board of Elections officials were involved in an "all-out effort" by the Democratic party establishment to wrongly disqualify votes in at least one similar primary that day.