Tag: Jamshad Wyne

What next? In New York’s 13th Congressional District, there’s always something next.

Here’s the first curveball: Just days after word leaked out that disgraced GOP Rep. Vito Fossella was exploring a comeback attempt this fall, Conservative Party nominee Paul Atanasio is dropping out and seeking a judicial nomination:

Brooklyn Conservative chairman Jerry Kassar has told the Advance that congressional candidate Paul Atanasio, who is bailing out of the campaign, will have his name put into nomination for a Brooklyn state Supreme Court judgeship at the party’s judicial nominating convention tonight.

If Atanasio’s nomination is approved, which looks to be a formality, the coveted Conservative line in the race would officially become vacant, with the party’s state executive committee set to make a new endorsement next week.

Could this be the opening that Vito needs in order to get himself back on the ballot? It’s there for the taking, if the Conservative “bigwigs” want to play that game of tiddly winks. Whatever the case, they will most certainly not endorse Republican Bob Straniere:

The Brooklyn party organization has already rejected Democratic candidate Michael McMahon, and Kassar today said, “I don’t see any interest among my members in recommending to the state party that we endorse [GOP candidate] Bob Straniere.”

“That would do nothing for us,” said Kassar. “He hasn’t really put together much of a campaign despite winning the Republican primary.”

And just when things couldn’t get nuttier, defeated GOP primary candidate Jamshad “Jim” Wyne is running as a write-in candidate.

(Tip o’ the cap: NY-13 Blog)

Life gets worse and worse every week for Staten Island Republicans, whose once-firm grip on New York’s 13th congressional district is now all but limp. Things are going less than swimmingly in the GOP primary to replace disgraced retiring Rep. Vito Fossella, as the two leading pretenders can’t stay away from each other’s throats.

Jamshad Wyne, the Staten GOP finance chair, claims that Straniere asked him to engage in illegal campaign financing for his failed 2001 campaign for borough president:

Wyne — who uses the name Dr. Jamshad Wyne professionally — said Straniere asked him to take $5,000 of his personal cash and disburse it to relatives who would, in turn, write checks in the amounts of $250 or $200 to Straniere for Borough President, thereby maximizing the amount of matching funds Straniere could receive from the city Campaign Finance Board.

Straniere adamantly denied the claim, calling it “outrageous.”

Wyne said he never followed through on what he maintains was Straniere’s request.

Such a practice is illegal; in recent years two politicians, one running for Queens borough president and the other for public advocate, were jailed for promoting such a scheme.

For his part, Straniere has decided to go all out racist:

Meanwhile, during an interview yesterday, Straniere said Wyne has been using the name “Jim” on the campaign trail because “he is trying to remake himself into something other than who is. He obviously doesn’t want people to know he is Pakistani and a Muslim.”

Stay classy, Republicans.

(From the diaries with a few light edits. Be sure to bookmark Jonah’s NY-13 Blog for the latest news on this race. – promoted by James L.)

All signs point to a McMahon vs. Harrison primary on the Democratic side of this race.  Today brings us news that we might also have a primary on the Republican side.  Dr. Jamshad Wyne (R), GOP Finance Chair in Staten Island has indeed entered the race;

The Todt Hill resident, who has gone back and forth on the race over the last two weeks, announced yesterday he would challenge Frank Powers, a Metropolitan Transportation Authority board member and retired Wall Street executive, for the GOP congressional nod.

Wyne had stated after Frank Powers won the Richmond County GOP endorsement that he likely would vote for the Democrat Mike McMahon.  There is a lot of frustration on the GOP side among ranking members with their party’s choice.  If Wyne does follow through and challenges Powers in a primary that would be even better news for us.  My guess though is we will see the party get him out, whether offering him the nomination for another office or just removing him from the party leadership.

Also interesting is the possibility that the Conservative Party will break with the GOP nomination and support their own candidate, possibly Paul Atanasio.  If this happens this seats even further to a likely pick up for us. Primaries are scheduled for September 9th.

UPDATE: Domenic Recchia withdraws:

As Democrats, we have an incredible opportunity before us, to turn a red seat blue and bring true change and real leadership to the residents in Staten Island and Brooklyn. That will not happen if we are not united as a party.

Therefore, I am withdrawing my bid for the 13th Congressional district, and will support our party’s nominee, Mike McMahon.

Thank you to all of the people who believed in me, worked for me and fought for me over the last year – especially those who encouraged me to stay in the race despite the altered political landscape.

Most of all, I would like to thank the voters of the congressional district, who welcomed me with open arms and believed in my message.

I have not made any decisions about my political future and have no further comment at this time.