In one of the many victories that helped the Republican gain power of the House of Representatives, former FBI agent Michael Grimm beat incumbent Michael McMahon (D) to win the seat that was ceded to the Democrats when after Republican Vito Fossella's DWI and love child meshugas. Grimm told his supporters last night, "If I was Nancy Pelosi, I'd be scared. But I'm not Nancy Pelosi. I am a Marine. I was FBI. And I am the new congressman for the 13th District." more ›

If this is a sudden trend, then we definitely want Rudy Giuliani to run in 2012 so his rival can trot out Donna Hanover at a debate: The Staten Island Advance reports that Rep. Michael McMahon (D) invited the ex-wife of his Republican challenger to Tuesday night's debate. And not only was Michael Grimm's ex Susan Kim there, so were her father and brothers! The Advance summed it up, "Call it a bit of campaign shenanigans unrivaled even in the rough and tumble that is a hallmark of Staten Island politics." more ›

The House of Representatives passed the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act by a vote of 268 to 160 two months after failing to pass the bill in a rancorous session. The act will "exposed to toxins released by the collapse of the World Trade Center towers" and also reopens the federal Victim Compensation Fund, according to Rep. Carolyn Maloney's office. Maloney, the Democrat who co-sponsored the bill with Reps. Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), Peter King (R-NY), and Michael McMahon (D-NY), said, "To the living victims of 9/11, we have good news: help is on the way. Today, the House answered the emergency calls of thousands of ailing 9/11 first responders and survivors. Our bill provides proper care to those who lost their health because of the 9/11 attacks and demonstrates that we will not abandon those who come to aid of our nation in times of crisis." more ›

Ha! Disgraced former Congressman Vito Fossella has told the Staten Island GOP—which, much to the surprise of its members, endorsed him to run for his old seat this fall—that he will not run for office. He also held a press conference outside his Manhattan office today, "I'm where I need to be, where I want to be," though he's "humbled and honored" by the endorsement, "As a result... I will not seek election to Congress this year." more ›

What a difference a nomination from the Staten Island GOP makes: Former Congressman Vito Fossella, who decided not to run for reelection in 2008 after the DWI arrest/lovechild revelation, told reporters, "A lot of things to consider" about the surprising (or maybe not so surprising) support from the party to challenge Rep. Michael McMahon (D) for his old seat. more ›

Former Congressman Vito Fossella, who decided not to run for reelection in 2008 when a DWI led to revelations about a mistress and a love child, was nominated by the Staten Island GOP Executive Committee last night to run against Rep. Michael McMahon (D). The Advance reports that party chairman John Friscia said, "It is my firm belief that he [Fossella] is the strongest candidate we can field," yet "acknowledged that he has no information Fossella would run." more ›

Former Congressman Vito Fossella may have had a DWI, which led to the revelation that the woman who picked him up from the Alexandria, Virginia police station was actually the mother of his love child—but that doesn't mean he can't run for his old seat again! According to Politico, he is "seriously considering entering the race for his old seat" representing Staten Island (and a little bit of Brooklyn). more ›

The Observer's political reporter Azi Paybarah writes, "If you're friend is called a 'Judas,' it's probably not a good idea to keep using the metaphor," referring to Rep. Charles Rangel's remarks after a union leader likened Rep. Michael McMahon to "Judas" for voting against health care reform. Also not a good idea: Saying that Judas was forgiven when he wasn't—plus he went to hell (at least, that's what Dante says)! Here's Paybarah's video of Rangel learning what happened to Judas: more ›

At a rally outside City Hall yesterday, where participants including union leaders and lawmakers praised the passage of health care reform, it was apparently also time to slam the lone NYC Congressional member who voted against it, Rep. Michael McMahon (D-Staten Island). Communications Workers of America Vice President Chris Shelton said, "We're here today to thank the 12 people in the congressional delegation in New York City who had the guts to stand up and do the right thing for the people, and the one from Staten Island - that Judas in Staten Island - who decided that the people didn't matter that he was going to do what he was going to do," adding, "We won’t forget." more ›

In today's Times, Op-Ed columnist Paul Krugman declared that yesterday "fear struck out... In the end, a vicious, unprincipled fear offensive failed to block reform... On the eve of the big vote, Republican members of Congress warned that 'freedom dies a little bit today' and accused Democrats of 'totalitarian tactics,' which I believe means the process known as 'voting.'" Meanwhile, in Niagara Falls, someone threw a brick through the front window of Democratic Rep. Louise M. Slaughter's office. more ›

Rep. Michael McMahon and Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano asking that cars be allowed back onto the Staten Island Ferry. Car service was suspended at 9/11, but now, McMahon writes, "The residents of Staten Island endure one of the most arduous and costly commutes in the country; all options which could ease that burden without compromising our safety should be made available... Opening the ferry to car transportation would give Staten Island commuters more choices, ultimately save many commuters time, and would cut down on all the unnecessary vehicle emissions resulting from the need to drive through Brooklyn to get to Manhattan." One ferry rider concurred and told NY1, "I think I would feel safe, and I think as a Staten Islander, we don't have much access, or anything, you have to take bridges and pay huge tolls." However, there are some detractors: Transportation Alternatives' Wiley Norvell said to the Post, "The logistical and expense burdens of moving cars on the Staten Island Ferry is totally out of proportion to the benefits of using the ferry for cars." more ›

Democrat Michael McMahon won the Congressional seat vacated by Vito Fossella, who had been the lone Republican Representative from NYC. McMahon, a City Council member, took 61% of the vote; his opponent, Robert Straniere, said, "The tides were against us, and due to events largely out of our control-- including the severe downturn in the global economy and the declining support of the McCain-Palin ticket --things did not go as we had hoped." The Staten Island Advance reports that McMahon referred to Fossella's DWI and love child by saying he wouldn't disgrace the office, "If we roll up our sleeves, we can make times great again." And the Democrats gained 18 other seats in the House--a total of five in the Northeast. more ›

The race for the Congressional seat Representative Vito Fossella is vacating took another interesting turn. Yesterday, Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro--a Conservative-- moved to endorse Democrat Michael McMahon. Moliarno is expecting to make the endorsement official this afternoon, choosing the City Councilman over GOP nominee Robert Straniere. Straniere said, "Sadly, time and time again we have seen Jim Molinaro blatantly cast aside the fundamental principles of his own Conservative Party for petty, personal vendettas." Molinaro was once challenged in a primary by Straniere for the Beep position. more ›