Turner Says He's Done with Politics

Few people in New York City have had it as rough as U.S. Rep. Bob Turner, R-Forest Hills, over the last two weeks. 

First, Turner lost his Breezy Point home in the devastating fire that ravaged the neighborhood during Hurricane Sandy.

Then, on Election Day, Turner's former district thoroughly repudiated Republican leadership, swinging strongly to the left. 

At City Councilman Eric Ulrich's event in Middle Village Tuesday night, Turner said he was disappointed with how things had gone in Queens and throughout the country.

"I'm very disappointed, but the country has changed, its demographics, its values, but I'm part of the old guard," he said. "I think it's a really sad day."

Turner will be replaced by Democrat Grace Meng, of

Turner's district was drawn out of existence during redistricting earlier this year.

As for his own future, Turner said he was not likely to make much noise on the political scene in the near term.

"I deliberately made no decision until today on what I'm going to do, and one of those things is going to be not to be in politics," Turner said. "So that's part of the decision."