Anthony Weiner had a rough night.
He conceded in the Democratic primary race Tuesday for the party’s mayoral candidate, and his campaign’s biggest hex, Sydney Leathers, crashed his election night party. Weiner was in such a foul mood that he couldn’t resist flashing something long and hard for the cameras: his middle finger.
See video: MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell Asks Anthony Weiner: ‘What Is Wrong With You?’
Numerous bystanders, including BuzzFeed’s Ruby Cramer, took to Twitter to report that Weiner had flipped NBC Channel 4’s Shimon Prokupecz the bird while driving past, but NY1 News reporter Lindsey Christ posted the photographic evidence .
A photo of our video (on the screen in our truck) of Weiner in his car with his middle finger up. pic.twitter.com/377kUWpSq2
— Lindsey Christ (@LindseyChrist) September 11, 2013
Weiner, a former New York congressman, came in distant fifth place in the election with just under 5 percent of the vote. During his concession speech to supporters, Weiner said he was proud of their campaign, although they “did not win this time.”
“There’s no doubt about it,” Weiner said. “We have the best ideas. Sadly, I was an imperfect messenger.”
The imperfection began after the public learned in July that the politician — who resigned from his congressional seat in 2011 after a lengthy sexting scandal made headlines — was still up to his old tricks by using web alias Carlos Danger to carry out a lengthy online affair with a young woman named Sydney Leathers. Weiner apologized for the indiscretion and his wife, Huma Abedin, stood by his side, but his campaign and public image could not recover.
Also read: NY Mayoral Candidate Anthony Weiner Apologizes for New Sex Scandal Revelations
Leathers also proved to be a bigger thorn in Weiner’s side on Tuesday night when she crashed his campaign party at Pub Connolly’s restaurant. Prokupecz, the reported target of Weiner’s middle finger, snapped a picture of Leathers seated at a table at the event.
Sydney Leathers now inside Pub Connolly’s restaurant where Anthony Weiner is holding his campaign party. pic.twitter.com/AtmRcKKD3d
— Shimon Prokupecz (@shimon4ny) September 11, 2013
While at the party, the mistress-turned-porn star told the press that her fame is going to last “a lot more than 15 minutes.” And she was spotted earlier in the day outside Weiner’s campaign headquarters making sure she got the attention she feels she deserves.
The Washington Post’s Jason Horowitz snapped a photo of Leathers holding a sign urging citizens not to vote for Weiner.
Sydney Leathers, outside Weiner HQ, is “not at all” worried that she will disappear with his candidacy. pic.twitter.com/Di4BvNdBbg
— Jason Horowitz (@jasondhorowitz) September 10, 2013
Weiner wasn’t the only big-name politician to bite the dust behind competitors. Former New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, who was attempting to battle back from a high-profile sex scandal of his own, lost his bid to become the Democratic nominee for city comptroller. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer beat Spitzer by less than five percent of the vote.