Donald Trump Hasn't Voted In Primary Since 1989

NEW YORK — Donald Trump says he's considering running in the primary for the Republican presidential nomination, but the real estate mogul didn't vote in primary elections for more than two decades, according to the New York City Board of Elections.

The possible GOP candidate voted in a primary election in the 1989 New York City mayor's race – when Rudy Giuliani beat businessman Ronald Lauder – then didn't vote in a primary for 21 years, board spokeswoman Valerie Vazquez said Saturday. The report on Trump's voting record initially appeared on TV station NY1 a day earlier.

Records also show Trump skipped the 2002 general election, when Republican incumbent Gov. George Pataki defeated Democrat H. Carl McCall, Vazquez said. But Trump told the station he's voted in every general election.

"You're going to pay a big price because you're wrong," he told the station. "I have records that I voted and so does the Board of Elections ... I signed in at every election."

His lawyer, Michael Cohen, defended Trump's voting practices Saturday.

"For one of the greatest international businessmen who travels all over the country and the world, his voting record is very, very good," Cohen said.

Cohen said Trump could not be reached for comment Saturday. The lawyer also said he could not confirm which party Trump belonged to in previous years.

Besides real estate, Trump has been a reality TV star and he once flirted with the idea of running for president as a third-party candidate.

Recently, he said he's weighing a 2012 presidential bid and will make an announcement in June.

Trump created media waves by aligning himself with the so-called "birthers" by questioning whether President Barack Obama was born in the United States. He also has said the U.S. should be entitled to Iraqi oil and he praised the tea party.

Comments

[52tucker]

01:41 PM on 04/26/2011

The best part of all these Trump stories is that with every one, he makes his Tea Party supporters look less and less informed, credible and intelligent.
When Trump first came on the scene with his "I might run for president" bull, everyone who remembers Trump beyond just 'Celebrity Apprentice" disregarded him. The Tea Party folks, on the other hand, started shouting, "Trump 2012!" from Fox Nation to The Blaze, and here as well. But with his insistence that he must be taken seriously, he's brought this scrutiny on himself.
He's condensed what we all have slowly learned about the Tea Party into a showcase of crackpot- just in time for the 2012 election cycle, when the Tea Party will finally be sent back to the fringe where it belongs.

[deepthicket]

01:26 PM on 04/26/2011

Trump is a discredit to his race, or species, whatever it is.

[mervr1]

12:11 PM on 04/26/2011

So how can anyone take seriously a man that CLAIMS he wants to run for President, but hasn't taken the time to honor one of this county's and the worlds most sought after and fought for rights!

Donald...You're Fired!

[Felton Geramander]

11:50 AM on 04/26/2011

He doesn't vote, he doesn't pay his bills, he's an adulterer, he's a liar.... and yet, he is considering a presidential run. Hhmmmmm

[scottymac11]

01:40 PM on 04/26/2011

My uncle Billy can fit those qualifications. I'll get him to throw his hat in the ring

[PennsylvaniaHero]

10:11 AM on 04/26/2011

He'll fit in right with the rest of the GOP: Liars

[nini516]

09:43 AM on 04/26/2011

Memories of Meg Whitman dancing in my head. LOL

[rsaillant1]

08:42 AM on 04/26/2011

Heard that Donnie's "snoops" in Hawaii have requested
yet another case of Sun Bloc. Aloha, also means goodbye.

How's that snappy investigation goin' fer ya' Donnie?

[larry putman]

03:01 AM on 04/26/2011

Why would a republican vote in a primary in a democratic state?

[malander]

01:19 AM on 04/26/2011

In business, it is important to have an exit strategy. I wonder how Trump will exit his presidential "bid" without losing face?

[CaraTaylor]

11:29 PM on 04/25/2011

I am guessing he invented the Obama-terrible student-affirmative action story to take the heat off his voting (or lack thereof) record.

[Peace4UandMe]

12:59 AM on 04/26/2011

Ah- ha ! I feel less insane when I see others realize the showman tactics too. Great post !

[anothervoter]

09:57 PM on 04/25/2011

Vote? Me?

I'm too important and too rich to vote.

[Viper1st]

08:30 PM on 04/25/2011

Trump doesn't vote in primary elections

Obama casts his vote as being present

big deal

[Duppy]

07:20 PM on 04/25/2011

In the meantime, Obama is laughing all the way to the bank. He hauled in about $10 million last week in campaign donations. Go Obama !

[Duppy]

07:12 PM on 04/25/2011

this guy may be committing business ._suicide. Why is he risking his future business/standing in the business community with these hateful charges against Obama. If he does not win, does he think the liberal folks in Hollywood/big money people, will have ANYTHING to do with him after this ? He will probably end up going broke again by the time he is done with this b.s.

[nini516]

09:45 AM on 04/26/2011

Exactly, Jerry Sienfeld already decided not to appear at his son's charity, but still gave the contributions.

[Carl Caroli]

05:46 PM on 04/25/2011

The more I see and hear of the donald, the less and less I can tolerate his BS.