Vito Fossella | The New York Observer

McMahon Commends Republican Fossella for Supporting 'Imperfect, But Necessary Answer'

Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:51:54 -0400

Retiring Republican Representative Vito Fossella got some mild praise from the Democrat who's running for his seat.

In a public statement just now, City Councilman Mike McMahon, said:

"When Americans across the country receive their 401k statements at the end of the month, the gravity of today's vote will be clear. Over the past week, Republicans and Democrats came together to create an imperfect but necessary answer to the financial crisis, and it failed. Now tens...

Bob Straniere and the Case of the Unsolicited Judgeship

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 09:11:46 -0400

I just spoke with former assemblyman Bob Straniere, the Staten Island Republican who is running for the Vito Fossella Congressional seat and, weirdly, was nominated to be a judge last night.

Straniere said, "I am running for Congress," and also, "I have no interest in being judge."

When I asked how he got the nomination, he said, "I have no idea. I had a primary two weeks ago [for congress] and I’m not interested"...

Mike Long on a Fossella Comeback: No Thanks

Thu, 18 Sep 2008 08:37:29 -0400

After the Conservative Party candidate dropped out of the race for Representative Vito Fossella’s seat, I asked the chairman of the state party if Fossella himself could make a late entry into the race.

“This opens the door for a candidate,” chairman Mike Long told me, before adding, “I have not had any conversations with Vito Fossella about this. There’s no strategy for Vito Fossella here.”

Fossella declined to seek re-election after...

Vito Fossella Gets Some Good Press

Wed, 30 Jul 2008 15:33:28 -0400

Representative Vito Fossella has been named one of Capitol Hill's 50 most beautiful people by the newspaper The...

Looking for G.O.P. Candidates on Staten Island

Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:39:10 -0400

The death of Frank Powers means Republicans on Staten Island are, again, looking for someone to run for Vito Fossella’s seat.

So, who’s on the list?

Scratch off District Attorney Dan Donovan, whose spokesman said he hasn’t changed his mind from last month about not running for the seat. Also not interested in running is City Councilman Vinny Ignizio. When I asked him to appear on video saying he doesn’t want to...

McMahon Gets the Inevitable Question

Fri, 13 Jun 2008 12:51:19 -0400

At a press conference on the City Hall steps just now, where the DCCC and some local officials endorsed Mike McMahon for Congress, a reporter asked the the question he was eventually going to get:

Have you ever driven drunk? Or had an extramarital affair?

McMahon is running for the seat currently held by Vito Fossella, who was caught doing just that.

The councilman said no on both...

Recchia Drops Congressional Bid

Tue, 03 Jun 2008 13:37:33 -0400

Democratic City Councilman Domenic Recchia of Brooklyn just announced he is dropping out of the race for Vito Fossella's congressional seat.

Staten Island Democrats recently endorsed another candidate, City Councilman Mike McMahon. Although the district lies partly in Brooklyn, Staten Island residents are a majority.

In the release, Recchia says he thinks Democrats should be "united as a party" to win the seat, currently held by a Republican.

Attorney Steve Harrison, who...

Fidler Standing Behind Recchia

Thu, 29 May 2008 12:06:47 -0400

City Councilman Mike McMahon, who is running for the congressional seat Vito Fossella is vacating, was endorsed last night by the Staten Island Democratic Party.

Since most of the district is in Staten Island, county support makes McMahon the leading Democrat in the race. But two others--City Councilman Domenic Recchia and Steve Harrison, both of Brooklyn--were running Democratic primary campaigns before Fossella's arrest.

There's been some speculation that Recchia, who is the best-funded candidate in...

Fossella, Again?

Tue, 27 May 2008 17:30:03 -0400

Republicans are having some trouble finding a candidate to run for the Congressional seat Vito Fossella is planning to vacate at the end of the year.

Could they find a solution by turning to … Fossella?

A couple of political consultants I talked to think the idea is at least theoretically plausible. He has, they point out, managed to get through the worst of the press coverage without disappearing entirely from the public eye....

Independence Party Candidate Interviews Rescheduled

Tue, 27 May 2008 11:12:55 -0400

The Independence Party interviews for congressional candidates eyeing Vito Fossella’s seat were supposed to take place last night, but got postponed because of what one organizer called a “logistical problem.”

That organizer, Frank Morano, a member of the party’s state executive committee, said the interviews have been rescheduled for 6:45 p.m. on Thursday, at Killmeyer’s Old Bavaria Inn, at 4254 Arthur Kill Road on Staten Island.

The party backed Fossella in 2006...

A Frank Appeal to the Independence Party

Mon, 26 May 2008 14:49:52 -0400

The race to succeed departing Representative Vito Fossella is wide open, and a number of major-party candidates are interviewing with the Independence Party in an effort to gain an advantage over the rest of the field. One of them, Richmond County Young Republicans vice president Rich Hoffman, forwarded me his response to a questionnaire that the I.P. asked all congressional candidates to fill out.

Hoffman, it seems, it going with blunt...

Donovan Says He Won't Run for Fossella's Seat

Thu, 22 May 2008 15:57:45 -0400

The Republican district attorney of Staten Island, Dan Donovan, who many considered to be the leading congressional candidate to run for the seat being vacated by Republican Vito Fossella, says he is not in the running. His public statement was just released: "While I am sincerely flattered by the time and attention focused on me at this time, and I am truly humbled by the expression of trust so many have placed in me...

Who Wants Fossella's Seat?

Tue, 20 May 2008 12:37:40 -0400

Here's what I've heard so far about who might run for Vito Fossella's seat now that the congressman has said he is staying in office but not seeking re-election.

A spokesman for Democratic City Councilman Domenic Recchia of Brooklyn, the best-funded challenger, said he’s still in the race, despite some rumblings that he might drop out. Democratic attorney Steve Harrison is also still running.

On the Republican side, the names of...

Fossella Resurfaces

Sat, 17 May 2008 11:40:44 -0400

Vito Fossella made a brief appearance last night at the Richmond County Conservative Party's fund-raiser on Staten Island, the most clear signal to date that he's interested in seeking re-election after being arrested for D.U.I. and admitting to fathering a child out of wedlock.

Since his arrest earlier this month, Fossella and his crisis communication consultant have said Fossella is focusing on his family, not politics.

No reporters were at the event, but word of Fossella's...

Fossella's Arrest and Recchia's Plans

Fri, 16 May 2008 11:22:57 -0400

Here's something counterintuitive. Amid all the jockeying for Vito Fossella's seat, City Hall News reports that the best-funded candidate in the race, City Councilman Domenic Recchia of Brooklyn, who was challenging Fossella long before the congressman was arrested, called "at least one elected official" and discussed dropping out.

From CHN:

The morning that news broke of Rep. Vito Fossella's (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) DWI arrest in Arlington, Va., two weeks ago, Council Member Domenic Recchia (D-Brooklyn) called at...

So Much More on Fossella and the Independence Party on Staten Island

Thu, 15 May 2008 13:49:29 -0400

Here's a little more evidence of how frenzied things are getting in Staten Island, now that Representative Vito Fossella's seat might be up for grabs in the fall.

Yesterday I reported that, according to Independence Party state executive committee member Frank Morano, the I.P. is interviewing candidates for Fossella's seat on May 25.

That isn't the whole story. Due to a long (and somewhat complicated) internal fight, two factions have developed that want a voice...

Brooklyn's Claim to the Fossella Seat

Wed, 14 May 2008 14:34:26 -0400

The jockeying to run for Republican Vito Fossella’s suddenly winnable congressional seat has opened a bit of a rift between Brooklyn and Staten Island Democrats.

The seat is mostly in Staten Island, but for years, Democratic elected officials there have taken a pass at challenging Fossella since that would have meant giving up their own safe re-elections in order to run (and probably lose). The result was a string of unmemorable...

If Fossella Runs, Bloomberg Would 'Think About' Backing Him

Wed, 14 May 2008 12:27:56 -0400

br/> When asked at a press conference in the Bronx whether he would support Vito Fossella for re-election, the mayor said he'd consider it.

"If he ran and he'd ask me, I'd have to think about it," Bloomberg said.

Bloomberg said that Fossella has fought for the city "every time we've asked him," but that the congressman has to take care of his legal and personal problems.

UPDATE: Sally Goldenberg, who asked Bloomberg the question, notes that...

D'Amato and Fossella, Continued

Wed, 14 May 2008 08:39:49 -0400

Al D’Amato went further with his show of support for Vito Fossella than anyone else when he told NY1 that he thought the congressman could run for reelection--and win.

So, does that mean the former Senator would actively campaign for Fossella?

I asked D’Amato’s spokeswoman, Dana Weisberg, who left the door open, but stopped just short of actually saying he would. She emails:

“[D'Amato] has always been close friends with Vito and...

Independence Party Interviewing Candidates for Fossella's Seat

Tue, 13 May 2008 16:32:37 -0400

The Staten Island chapter of the Independence Party, which supported recently arrested Republican Congressman Vito Fossella in 2006, is interviewing “all prospective candidates” who want to seek their endorsement this year.

Interviews will take place on May 25, according to Frank Morano, an executive committee member of the New York State Independence Party.

Morano said Fossella “would have a shot at the nomination,” but also said that it would not be “a...

Picking Candidates in Fossella-Land

Mon, 12 May 2008 15:05:43 -0400

Here’s something to keep in mind as the fate of Vito Fossella unfolds:

If Fossella steps down before June July 1--and signals about whether he will or not have been mixed--there would a special election, and the candidates will more or less be chosen by the Staten Island County Leaders from both parties, even though the district includes both Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

The county leaders' choices will be decisive, since...

Anti-Abortion Democrat Praises Fossella

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:27:09 -0400

Democratic State Senator Ruben Diaz, Sr., one of a handful of elected Democrats who oppose abortion in New York State, is giving some credit to Vito Fossella in a public letter:

Dear Congressman Fossella:

In light of the serious controversy you are experiencing, I would like to
clearly point out something that has been overlooked that you deserve to be
credited for, and that is the fact that you supported Retired Air...

Club Divided Between Fossella's Challengers Endorses Neither

Mon, 12 May 2008 10:17:02 -0400

Last week I reported that an endorsement vote at a Democratic Club in Bay Ridge was split evenly between Vito Fossella's two official Democratic challengers, Domenic Recchia and Steve Harrison.

The president of Brooklyn Democrats for Change, Peter Carroll, emailed me over the weekend to say that because of the 25-25 tie, the club will not support either candidate. Carroll added, “Unless something major happens (like [F]ossella resigning) we will not be...

In Maspeth, Two Council Candidates and One Protest

Mon, 12 May 2008 09:48:13 -0400

Just because you send out a media advisory about a protest doesn’t mean the event is yours. That’s what City Council candidate Elizabeth Crowley learned on Saturday when she and a handful of Maspeth residents protesting a noisy bar in the neighborhood found themselves joined by one of Crowley’s rivals in the June 3 special election.

Crowley and the rival, Anthony Como, circled one another and quietly vied for the attention of the...

Report: Fossella May Seek Re-Election

Sat, 10 May 2008 19:45:18 -0400

From the New York Post:

Defying disgusted constituents and angry Republican leaders, disgraced Rep. Vito Fossella has told pals he plans to seek re-election.

And, shockingly, the Staten Island pol is feeling "pretty good," he confided to friends

"I got every indication that he plans to run again," said Guy Molinari, Fossella's political mentor, who's been in close contact with the embattled 43-year-old politician. Fossella is up for re-election in November.

For Democrats, a Downside to the End of Fossella

Fri, 09 May 2008 17:02:05 -0400

At first glance, the potential (likely?) demise of Vito Fossella's political career makes for a timely boost for Democrats, who are now in prime position to claim the 13th District congressional seat he has held since 1997.

But it may be more trouble than it's worth.

The district certainly is winnable for Democrats, especially if Fossella opts to seek re-election despite the scandals exploding around him. But even if he doesn't – and there is word...

Bay Ridge Club Split Between Fossella's Democrat Challengers

Fri, 09 May 2008 10:19:17 -0400

The Brooklyn Democrats for Change, a reform club in Bay Ridge, held their endorsement meeting last night to decide which Democrat to endorse against Republican Vito Fossella.

The club’s decision was an even split.

According to a political operative who attended the meeting but is not actively working for either campaign, there were 25 votes for each of the two declared Democratic candidates, attorney Steve Harrison and City Councilman Domenic Recchia.

Charlie Rangel Has Sympathy for Fossella, Not for the G.O.P.

Thu, 08 May 2008 19:46:37 -0400

Representative Charlie Rangel has a very meta take on Vito Fossella's predicament, seeing it as another example of an ongoing Republican implosion.

"They are self-destructing," Rangel told me, referencing the president's vetoes of what he said was bi-partisan legislation and ethics lapses by Republican elected officials. "I have to write a letter to Fosella saying the delegation wants to express its sympathies during this period of your life and move on." Rangel said that none...

Harrison Not Campaigning on Fossella's Problems

Thu, 08 May 2008 17:21:36 -0400

One of Vito Fossella’s Democratic challengers, Steve Harrison, just released a public statement saying that if Fossella runs for reelection, “The people will decide in November if his recent behavior and revelations should disqualify him from continuing in office.”

It's a slightly different approach than Harrison took yesterday, when he told me Fossella's D.U.I. arrest spoke to the congressman's "character" and decision-making ability.

Here’s the statement:

It is unfortunate that Congressman Fossella’s indiscretions...

Virginia Is Not for Adulterers

Thu, 08 May 2008 15:06:14 -0400

An unserious footnote to the story of Vito Fossella's mistress and love child: Technically speaking, in her home state of Virginia, adultery is still a crime.

Out of curiosity, I asked a spokesman for the Alexandria Police Department, where Fossella was arrested for D.U.I. last week, about the law, and he said off the top of his head that it sounded correct but declined to speak further about it.

I spoke with Fossella's D.C.-based...

Assemblyman Says Evidence in His D.U.I. Case Was Destroyed

Thu, 08 May 2008 14:30:33 -0400

Assemblyman Karim Camara of Brooklyn, who was arrested for D.U.I. last year, says a police videotape related to the case has been destroyed, leaving officials without what he called “the one objective piece of evidence.”

Camara made the comment after Liz and I approached him outside of City Hall, where he was just now attending a rally opposing a homeless shelter in Brooklyn. Camara’s case is among those being cited in recent stories...

Will Fossella 'Put Staten Island Through This?'

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:51:30 -0400

Frank Morano, an executive committee member of the New York State Independence Party and Staten Island activist (and, by his description, a friend of Vito Fossella's), thinks Fossella's recent personal problems run the risk of overshadowing his political work if he seeks reelection.

"I think this would become much more of an issue than the war in Iraq, or the economy, or gas prices, or traffic and transportation issues on Staten...

Fossella Admits Affair and Love Child

Thu, 08 May 2008 11:05:30 -0400

Vito Fossella's office just released this statement from the congressman:

“I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a three year old daughter.

"My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry.

"While I understand that there will be many questions, including those about my political future, making any political decisions right now are furthest...

Fossella's Future

Wed, 07 May 2008 12:58:13 -0400

Vito Fossella’s spokespeople won’t say whether he’ll run for reelection, according to an item in Crain’s today.

“Politics is not what he’s focused on now,” Susan Del Percio--Fossella’s political consultant--is quoted as saying. “He’s focused on doing his job.”

The Republican congressman’s D.U.I. arrest in Virginia last week has led to greater scrutiny of his personal life and some speculation that he fathered a child with a woman in the D.C. area....

Harrison on Fossella's Arrest

Tue, 06 May 2008 16:14:27 -0400

Unlike Councilman Domenic Recchia, Democrat Stephen Harrison isn't hesitating to talk about the arrest of Republican Congressman Vito Fossella..

“I would like to have this race decided by the issues, like the war, health care, the economy, jobs, things of that nature--all of which are important. But now we’re involved in this very personal distraction,” said Harrison, who is competing with Recchia for the Democratic nomination to challenge Fossella.

Harrison seemed to indicate he may make...

Recchia Quiet on Fossella's Arrest

Tue, 06 May 2008 14:21:17 -0400

Congressman Vito Fossella’s recent arrest for driving drunk has Democrats thinking they might get a better chance at taking the only congressional seat in the city held by a Republican. (The district includes Staten Island and part of Brooklyn).

But the better-funded of his prospective Democratic opponents, Councilman Domenic Recchia, isn't (so far) using it against him.

“This has nothing to do [with the campaign],” he said about Fossella’s arrest. “My focus is on getting...

Recchia Has Global Strategy Group for Fossella Race

Tue, 06 May 2008 10:30:43 -0400

Councilman Domenic Recchia has kept a low profile since the congressman he is trying to unseat, Vito Fossella, got arrested for driving drunk.

But when political consultant Jefrey Pollock prefaced remarks about Fossella on NY1 last night by saying he’s working for Recchia’s campaign, that was news.

Pollock is president of Global Strategy Group, a company with clients that have included John Edwards, Freddy Ferrer, Eliot Spitzer and Cory Booker.

Recchia...

Fossella's Post-Arrest Press Conference

Mon, 05 May 2008 10:12:54 -0400

Here’s some footage from Vito Fosella’s press conference from Friday discussing his arrest for D.U.I. in Virginia.

“Politics is the last thing on my mind,” Fossella...

Fossella Speaks About Arrest

Fri, 02 May 2008 13:47:00 -0400

In his first appearance since being arrested in Virginia for drunk driving, Republican Congressman Vito Fossella said he’s not resigning and he hopes the residents of his Staten Island-Brooklyn district forgive him for what he said was a one-time mistake.

“It was a big mistake and I made it and I’m here to apologize to the people I represent,” he said, speaking at the Hilton hotel on Staten Island. “I was brought...

Report: Fossella Arrested

Thu, 01 May 2008 14:48:53 -0400

From The Washington Post:

Rep. Vito J. Fossella (R-N.Y.) was arrested overnight in Alexandria and charged with driving while intoxicated, court records showed today.
Fossella is scheduled to appear in Alexandria General District Court on May 12 for an advisement hearing, the records said.

No other details were immediately available.

Reached by phone, Fossella's communication director had no immediate comment on the report.

Fossella...

Harrison: Look Out Canada

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 09:39:19 -0400

Here's Steve Harrison, the less-funded of the two Democrats looking to unseat Representative Vito Fossella, speaking to a bunch of Democratic clubs last night at a bar in Manhattan.

He had some particularly spirited remarks about the war in Iraq: After the oil is gone from the Middle East, he says, "We start looking around and we say ‘You know, Venezuela looks pretty good.’ And when Venezuela is gone, we look...

Democratic Clubs Stage Anti-Fossella Convention

Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:31:55 -0400

A number of local Democratic clubs, including the Howard Dean-spawned DFNYC, are meeting tonight to decide which Democrat they will support in the race to unseat the only Republican Congressman in the city, Vito Fossella.

They are choosing between term-limited City Councilman Domenic Recchia and Steve Harrison, who lost to Fossella in 2006.

Fossella, a 10-year incumbent who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn, is a frequent target of left-of-center groups in the...

New Press Guy Likes Staten Island More Than Albany

Thu, 10 Apr 2008 09:44:29 -0400

Here's Rob Hart, new to the communications staff for City Councilman Domenic Recchia, who is likely to challenge Congressman Vito Fossella--often referred to as the last remaining Republican representative in the city--in the election this fall. Hart used to be an Albany reporter for the Staten Island Advance, and it seems like he's happy to be back in the boroughs....

Cheney Will Appear at Fossella Event

Wed, 09 Apr 2008 17:21:50 -0400

Dick Cheney will be a featured guest at an April 21 fund-raising lunch for Vito Fossella, the city’s only Republican congressman, a sign that the national Republican Party is putting in a major effort to hold onto the seat.

Fossella represents parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island. The event is taking place at 740 Park Avenue in Manhattan, at the home of Republican contributors David and Julia Koch

The invite, which...

Congestion Pricing Is a Popular Issue, For Now

Mon, 07 Apr 2008 09:42:13 -0400

Here's a shot from a congestion pricing forum in Brooklyn last night, where Anthony Weiner made an unannounced appearance, alongside likely mayoral rival, and fellow critic, Tony Avella (far right). In the middle, that's Steve Harrison, another critic of the plan and current candidate for congress.

Congestion pricing, for now, is a major dividing line both of those races. (As was the case with Michael Bloomberg's Olympic bid and West Side Stadium plan...

Harrison Will Have Some Money This Time

Fri, 15 Feb 2008 15:31:45 -0500

Here’s an invitation to Democratic congressional candidate Stephen Harrison’s February 27 fund-raiser at Social Bar in Midtown West.

The event is being organized by Lewis Cohen, a local fund-raiser here who has been keeping busy with a number of these get-togethers.

It's the kind of financial infrastructure that Harrison was missing when he ran against the Republican incumbent, Vito Fossella, in 2006. The lack of money was a major reason the party didn’t...

Fossella Says He's Got Enough Money

Thu, 31 Jan 2008 11:57:12 -0500

The day after Rudy Giuliani dropped out the presidential campaign, the city’s only Republican Congressman says he has plenty of money on hand for his own re-election campaign this November.

“We are fully on schedule with our fundraising plans as we head into the election year,” said Representative Vito Fossella in a public statement. “Our fundraising success is reflective of the widespread support we enjoy in Staten Island and Brooklyn.”

Fossella's campaign--he...

New York Delegation Not As Outraged As Bloomberg

Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:52:38 -0500

As Azi reported yesterday, Mike Bloomberg doesn’t seem to be a fan of the sweeping Energy Bill that President Bush signed yesterday – in particular, its mandate for an massive increase in ethanol production.

Bloomberg called the ethanol provision “an outrage” and said it would drive up food costs and “have worldwide implications on the food supply.” Ethanol, of course, is a sacred product in...

Congressional Candidate Raises Money to Unseat "Last City Conservative"

Mon, 26 Nov 2007 14:21:57 -0500

Supporters of congressional candidate Steve Harrison are having a fund-raiser this Thursday, and are banking on the anti-conservative message to bring in the checks.

From the email, being circulated by supporters Hilda B. Classon and Betsy Malcolm:

It's true, within all five boroughs, Vito Fossella is the last conservative Republican in our city. Mr. Fossella enjoys an 81% positive rating from the Christian Coalition and 78% from The...

Spitzer's Real ID Shift Goes Against Congressional Dems Too

Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:50:04 -0400

It's worth noting that Hillary Clinton isn’t the only one trying to get squared away with Eliot Spitzer’s new license policy.

The governor’s (original) plan would have allowed illegal immigrants to obtain a driver's license, but now it's being linked to federal guidelines that will be outlined in the Real ID Act. Although Spitzer backed Real ID this week, a number of Democratic congress members from New York opposed...