Crowded field poses problem for Democrats seeking Fossella seat

Democrats are scrambling to take advantage of Rep. Vito Fossella’s (R-N.Y.) retirement announcement, but so far have not coalesced around a single candidate.

Fossella’s district leans conservative and is the only one in New York City represented by a Republican, but Democrats hope Fossella’s troubles and the open seat he leaves behind can provide an opening in a year that looks increasingly promising for their party.

{mosads}New York City Councilman Domenic Recchia and 2006 nominee Stephen Harrison were already in the Democratic race and prepared to run against Fossella before his Monday night retirement announcement.

In the wake of Fossella’s exit, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) was talking with Recchia and several other potential candidates about avoiding a crowded primary, including Assemblyman Mike Cusick and New York City Councilman Mike McMahon. Other potential Democratic candidates include state Sen. Diane Savino and Assemblyman Peter Abbate.

Fossella released a statement just before midnight Monday that confirmed rumors of his impending exit. Over the last month, he has been arrested for drunk driving and subsequently admitted to fathering a child during an affair with a Washington-area woman.

The six-term congressman promised to serve out the remainder of his term, though, helping the GOP avoid another potentially painful special election that also would have been expensive given the New York City media market. The Democrats have already taken over three seats in specials this cycle.

DCCC spokeswoman Carrie James said the district is trending toward her party: “This is a district that we have been targeting long before any recent events. The fact that it is now an open seat only provides a stronger opportunity for Democrats to pick up this seat.”

The district voted 55 percent for President Bush in 2004, but four years earlier it gave Vice President Al Gore a win with 52 percent.

Republicans, however, insisted that they would retain the seat.

“The Democrat Congress has an abysmal record on both of these issues, and the Democrat candidate in the 13th district will have to carry that weight on his shoulders,” said Rep. Tom Cole (Okla.), the embattled chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

Two candidates have emerged on the GOP side. Richmond County District Attorney Dan Donovan said Tuesday that he was still weighing his options, and state Sen. Andrew Lanza has also been mentioned.

Donovan suggested it would be hard to leave his current post, “especially in light of the fact that as recently as six months ago, 68 percent of the residents of Staten Island reelected me to continue to serve in that capacity.”

Democratic leaders hoped Recchia, who has raised $350,000 so far, could put together a successful challenge. But because he is from Brooklyn, Recchia might not be the most attractive open-seat candidate in a district that mostly comprises Staten Island.

According to The New York Times, Recchia on Tuesday denied reports that he would drop out of the race. Local Assemblyman Vito Lopez (D) had told the Times that Recchia was effectively out of the race, but Recchia said things were still being worked out.

McMahon said he is “leaning towards running, but we need to make sure that we get unified behind the best candidate.” He said there was nobody to whom he would yield outright, but he stressed that the conversation hadn’t progressed to that point.

A spokeswoman for Savino said the senator still hasn’t made an official decision.

But no matter who or how many emerge from that conversation, it looks like they will be headed for a heated Democratic race, as Harrison said he is in the race for the long haul.

Harrison also referred to himself as something of an “incumbent candidate,” citing the reports about Recchia’s potential exit.

“They will be running primaries against me,” Harrison said. “I am not running primaries against them. I want that to be very, very clear.”

Harrison said he has already topped his 2006 fundraising haul, bringing in $175,000 so far.
Fossella in 2006 spent $1.6 million to beat Harrison 57-43 — his lowest vote total in six congressional elections.