May 20, 2008 7:50 pm US/Eastern
Fossella Replacement Speculation Heats Up In S.I.
Embattled Congressman Announced Plans Of Not Running For Re-Election On His Website
STATEN ISLAND (CBS) ―
Ending weeks of speculation, disgraced Staten Island Congressman Vito Fossella announced Tuesday he will not resign, but he won't run for re-election in the fall. Speculation on who will eventually replace him is already heating up.
Citing the pain he has caused his wife and children, Fossella said on his website that he will not run for a sixth term in office:
"This choice was an extremely difficult one, balanced between my dedication to service to our great nation and the need to concentrate on healing the wounds that I have caused to my wife and family."
The DWI arrest and disclosure of Fossella's love child were crippling blows to a rising star in the Republican Party. The 13th Congressional District has been in Republican hands for decades. The question now being asked is, will Fossella's scandal change the political landscape?
"I wouldn't know why you'd want to change in the first place," said Staten Island resident Robert Martinelli.
"Everybody's pretty stone cold in what they believe in," said Maureen Callaghan.
But Democrat Steve Harrison, who was narrowly defeated by Fossella in 2006, says the voters are ready for change.
"They're a very working-class community, a lot of union members, and even though they voted Republican, the truth is they're primarily democrats. It's actually 60 percent democrat in this district," said Harrison.
As for who the Republicans will field come November, Staten Island DA Dan Donovan heads the list, although he's not yet ready to announce, saying:
"Over the course of teh next few days, I will carefully weigh and consider all of my options. I will be guided in my decision by what I believe to be in the best interests of the people of Staten Island," said Donovan.
What the GOP doesn't want to see is another House seat setting sail for the Democrat's shores.
The 13th District includes Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn. The other names being mentioned as possible candidates are Democratic New York City Councilman Domenic Recchia and Republican State Senator Andrew Lanza.
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