Staten Island Democrats Choose a Councilman as Their Candidate for Fossella’s Seat (NY-13)

[brooklynite]

Source: NY Times

The Staten Island Democratic Party voted on Wednesday night to endorse City Councilman Michael E. McMahon as its choice for the Congressional seat being vacated by Representative Vito J. Fossella, a Republican.

Mr. McMahon, who has represented the North Shore of Staten Island for the last seven years, said he had already received the support of the Brooklyn Democratic Party leader, Assemblyman Vito J. Lopez, as well as other Democratic elected officials who had considered running for the seat. The district includes all of Staten Island and portions of Brooklyn.

...snip...

The most contentious issue facing Mr. McMahon is the presence in the race of a fellow Democrat, Stephen A. Harrison, a Brooklyn lawyer who ran against Mr. Fossella two years ago on the Democratic line and did better than any previous challenger, winning 43 percent of the vote.

Mr. Harrison has made it clear that he would remain in the race, despite any decision made by party leaders. Mr. Harrison was defiant after Wednesday night’s meeting, calling Mr. McMahon an “opportunist” who had entered the race only after Mr. Fossella had announced his decision. In contrast, Mr. Harrison said, he had been a candidate when Mr. Fossella had been expected to run again.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/29/nyregion/29staten.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin