There has been some speculation that state Sen. Diane Savino would be an unlikely candidate for the seat held by Vito Fossella due to her friendship with NYC Councilman Domenic Recchia. But Savino says that won’t have any bearing on her decision to enter the race, nor will any deference to ’06 nominee Steve Harrison be a factor:
“In life and politics, nothing is fair,” Savino said. “I’m not one of those people who believe, ‘Oh, it’s my turn.’ There’s no such thing as your turn. If you’re willing to put yourself out there and expose every aspect of your life, and devote all your efforts and time to talking to people…then it’s your turn. That’s what it takes to win.”
…Steve’s biggest problem is not that people don’t think it’s his turn,” Savino continued. “Him and Domenic, and I’ve told them this, their biggest problem is they don’t live on Staten Island. Eighty percent of this district is in Staten Island.
One thing about Staten Islanders, they will vote for anybody on any line if they’re from Staten Island versus someone who’s not.”
Savino won’t give a timeline for her decision, but says that she will make an announcement in “due course”. The New York Daily News‘ Elizabeth Benjamin notes that “petitions start circulating June 3, so at that point everyone’s intentions will be out in the open.”
Jonah in NYC had an excellent diary yesterday on the potential Democratic candidates for this seat.
In NY, the State Senate is more valuable than this one Congressional seat. Is her senate seat of for re-election this year?
if i’m correct, she’d already all but endorsed recchia… who in my opinion doesn’t deserve any endorsement, let alone congressional seat, or anything more than getting his corrupt ass term-limited out of the city council next year…
i do feel that she’s likely the most progressive of the staten island triumvirate, applaud her labor and WFP connections, so i am glad to see that she appears to be leaning towards running.
her state senate district would be easy to hold even without mcmahon, as it includes the liberal section of staten island and an even more liberal section of brooklyn.
State Law requires 1,250 signatures to qualify for a House seat. When I was living in NY state (1985-96), election challenges were extremely numerous and extremely successful. The connected ones got on the ballot and challengers had an awfully hard time. I’ve been informed that the state’s election laws, then among the worst in the country, have been amended and are no longer as ahem strange. That’s a much needed change.
The petitions go out on June 3 and I think that those who wait on this may be screwed. By getting out front, Savino is making it toughrer for the others. Besides, she’s not only from Staten Island, she’s got an Italian name. It sounds crazy but if Dan Donovan is the Republican nominee a surprisingly large group of voters will vote for Savino on the name alone. In my town of 7,500 in NJ (one of the 10 highest % Italian-American in the country per the census bureau), the number is about 300 out of a normal vote of 2,000. It will be smaller for a congressional election but may well be 5% of the vote. That’s the election in NY-13.
A new name today considering the race is Assemblyman Peter Abbate from Brooklyn. His district overlaps portions of Savino’s in Brooklyn. Peter is well liked and respected in his district having represented it for 20+ years. I will have a potential candidate post for him later tonight.
She better run now. She’s talking like she wants Fossella to retire first There will be no better opportunity because:
1. Another strong candidate may beat Fossella and she may have to wait a decade or two.
2. Fosella is somehow re-elected and is in a stronger position in 2010.
3. Fossella is re-elected and Republicans line up a strong successor for 2010.
Yes, Fossella is weak enough that one of the current canddiates could beat him, but we have to look at 2010. With a Democratic in the White House, it may or may not be a good year for us. Better to have a strong candidate for re-election with a base on Staten Island. Make your mind up quickly, Dianne.
Steve Harrison. He’s already up and running. He almost beat Fossella in ’06, and he’s poised to make it happen this time. Don’t waste your time on late-comers and possible wannabes. We’ve already got an established candidate with solid credentials who’s doin’ it right now.
Contribute, get involved, and make it happen.
http://actblue.com/entity/fund…
in the interest of accuracy, steve harrison lost 57-43 in a year when democrats did historically well nationwide and when spitzer and clinton demolished the competition in New York. that’s why the national party leaders and some local leaders are looking for another candidate with electoral experience.
the need for a staten islander seems pretty strong here. i think senator savino should start running now if only to scare fossella into resigning.