George Fontas | The New York Observer

Silver's Spread and the Connor-Parker-Tingling Cliffhangers

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 13:25:30 -0400

In at least one of today's competitive local primaries, according to some of my favorite prognosticators, the writing is on the wall: Sheldon Silver will be re-elected. None of the people I’ve spoken with have predicted either of his challengers--Paul Newell or Luke Henry--could unseat him, even though Newell has won a fair amount of support and numerous newspaper endorsements.

Silver's job in this case, and perhaps one reason we've been treated to...

Reaction to Democratic Special Election Win: Stone, Sheinkopf, Stavisky

Wed, 27 Feb 2008 07:17:41 -0500

Here are some more reactions from the big Democratic victory in last night’s special election, which cut the Republican majority in the state Senate down to one seat.

Roger Stone:
“A coup in the Senate would be a power-grab but Malcolm Smith might find he doesn’t have all the Democrats. Remember the difference between a caucus and a cactus? With a cactus all the pricks are on the outside.

“I expect...

Simcha Felder Hires Again With an Eye on Comptroller Race

Mon, 17 Sep 2007 05:03:51 -0400

Councilman and all-but-announced city comptroller candidate Simcha Felder of Brooklyn hired another staffer: Eric Kuo, who will be the new new press person.

Kuo previously did press for Councilman Vincent Gentile, a Democrat in the conservative-leaning Bay Ridge section of Brooklyn (the same area that produced Democratic operatives George Fontas, Scott Gastel and Sam Cooper). He also worked for Councilman Oliver Koppell in the Riverdale section of the Bronx. (There are probably some notable operatives...

Always Election Season for Consultants

Fri, 31 Aug 2007 11:27:29 -0400

This may be a quiet time when it comes to campaigning, but may also be the best time to get a new political company off the ground.

Earlier this month, 26-year-old lobbyist George Fontas founded New Gotham Strategies, LLC. Fontas said his campaign consulting gig will be completely separate from his current job at the lobbying firm, Capalino + Company.

Fontas managed Vinny Gentile’s...

November Madness

Mon, 30 Oct 2006 07:20:01 -0500

If Fantasy Congress is too legislative-heavy for your taste, there's the more March Madness-like game of Campaign Guru circulating its way around a small group of folks following races nationwide. Compiled by George Fontas, a former aide to Councilman David Weprin, Campaign Guru offers a quick snapshot of various house races and the candidates. It was conceived of more out of sense of sport than propaganda, so it offers shows what really political-sports hounds consider...