Assemblyman David Weprin -- whose family has been a fixture in Queens politics for four decades -- has been selected to be the Democratic nominee for Anthony Weiner's congressional seat in September's special election, sources said today.
"He has demonstrated an ability to raise money and he's certainly got the name recognition," said one source.
Weprin's brother, Mark, currently serves in the City Council.
Their late father, Saul, was a legislative powerhouse in Albany for decades.
"You walk down 188th Street (in Queens) and you see 'Saul Weprin Way,'" said the source. "You can't get much better known in Queens than the Weprins."
The source also said that Weprin, the only Orthodox Jewish elected official in Queens, could easily attract the Jewish voters who had been so loyal to Weiner.
"The goal is to elect somebody who could hold the seat assuming the Republicans try to steal it," said the source.
A second political insider called David Weprin "a safe pick."
"They (party leaders) didn't trust (State Assemblyman Rory Lancman). You need someone who's not going to challenge you," said the insider.
If Queens Democratic leader Joe Crowley has his way, Weiner's old district will be dismantled in the next round of re-districting.
If that happened, David Weprin, could fall back to being an investment banker or he could run again for City Comptroller, which he did in 2009, said the insider.
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