Sperminator Lawmaker Claims Fraud in Upcoming Primary

A state legislator known as “Sperminator,” due to his unique history as a donor fathering over a dozen children, is accusing his rival in the upcoming Democratic primary of attempts to thwart his candidacy.

Andrew Hevesi, a veteran councilman from Queens, revealed on Monday that his voter registration had been altered without his consent, shifting him from the Democratic Party to the Working Families Party back in February.

Hevesi described this act as a “criminal ploy” designed to hinder his campaign against Jonathan Rinaldi, a Republican who previously ran against him unsuccessfully two years ago.

In a message aimed at his supporters, Hevesi said, “My opponent has a history of fraud in his past campaigns. He consistently runs as a Republican and has not been successful.” He noted that Rinaldi’s actions gave him the “motive, means, and opportunity” for the alleged wrongdoing.

Reports indicate that New York Times was the first to disclose the changes to Hevesi’s voter registration and his accusations against Rinaldi, who is said to be the biological father of around 18 donated children.

Interestingly, Hevesi only discovered the switch after receiving a call from a Working Families Party official congratulating him on the switch, according to Doug Folland, Hevesi’s campaign strategist.

While Hevesi’s campaign maintains that the registration paperwork sent to the city elections board had inaccuracies, the board accepted it nonetheless. Upon learning about the changes, Hevesi quickly reached out to both election officials and the Queens District Attorney’s Office to file criminal allegations.

Folland stated that they worked closely with local Democratic leaders to ensure Hevesi could participate in the primary. Citing Rinaldi’s questionable past, Hevesi accused him of masterminding the registration changes.

“Mr. Rinaldi has built a political reputation on deceit and unethical behavior,” Hevesi criticized.

Rinaldi, for his part, has faced difficulties in past elections, including his social media accounts being linked to fake endorsements and news clips, which he claimed were the result of hacking.

Responding to the allegations, Rinaldi firmly denied any involvement in Hevesi’s voter registration issue. He argued that this situation brings attention to vulnerabilities in the election system, noting that if such changes can occur by mail without proper identification, it poses a concern for New Yorkers.

According to a BOE spokesperson, individuals are permitted to register or amend their registration without ID, but any attempts to misuse this provision could lead to criminal charges.

As Hevesi contemplates his next steps concerning election law compliance, his primary focus remains ensuring his name appears on the ballot this June.