Wednesday
Mar142012
Staten Island Dems make candidate recommendations
Wednesday, March 14, 2012 at 02:40PM 
Staten Island Dems make candidate recommendations
Published: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 4:41 AM Updated: Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 4:43 AM
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- The executive committee of the Staten Island Democratic Party made candidate recommendations for the fall races last night, but left their meeting without a candidate to run against state Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-Staten Island).
Meeting at Democratic headquarters in New Dorp, the panel unanimously endorsed Mark Murphy for Congress and John Mancuso to run against Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn).
The panel also unanimously endorsed attorney Anthony Mascolo to run for the South Shore Assembly seat. Republican Assemblyman Lou Tobacco is not running for re-election this year.
"Our candidates have the message, the issues and the resources," said Democratic chairman John Gulino. "It's going to be a fantastic year for the Democratic Party."
Despite speculation that former Rep. Michael McMahon, City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore), Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) and Brooklyn Councilman Vincent Gentile were looking at the seat, no other candidates interviewed for the congressional slot.
"I am truly proud to have had the opportunity to stand before my hometown Democratic committee to talk about the important issues in this race and why it's so critical to elect a congressman who will go to Washington to create jobs and get our federal government working for the people of Staten Island," said Murphy, 41, son of former Democratic Rep. John Murphy.
Mark Murphy is looking to take on freshman Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) in the fall.
Mascolo, 56, is a partner in the West Brighton law firm Bosco & Mascolo.
"When I read that Lou Tobacco was not running, I said, this is a game change," he said. "I felt it gave an opportunity for some new blood."
His firm has done pro bono work for 9/11 families, and also did work involving the fatal 2003 Staten Island Ferry crash.
A Richmond resident, Mascolo has served on the board of the YMCA and the Staten Island Boys Football League. He also founded the Joe Plescia Memorial Super Meet in honor of a deceased friend and classmate, and coached in the Great Kills Little League.
A 1973 Farrell High School graduate, Mascolo spearheaded an effort that brought lighting to the school athletic field. He has also served on the school's board of directors.
Mascolo was honored by the Advance in 1999 for his dedication to youth sports.
Party deputy executive director Kevin Elkins said Mascolo has a "strong record of community involvement, and will bring the financial resources to the race that have never been brought to the South Shore before."
Mancuso, 31, said he had recently sold the family business, Silvestro's Deli and Caterers, so he could run full time.
Of the executive committee endorsement, he said, "It's good. They know I'm a hard worker and dedicated."
He served as director of operations when Gentile represented part of Staten Island in the state Senate, and was also Gentile's Council chief of staff.
Mancuso is the captain of the 122nd Precinct Auxiliary Police and the Auxiliary Police Highway Patrol 5.
The executive committee's selections are expected to be ratified at a full county convention on March 22.
By that time, the party also hopes to have a candidate in place to challenge Lanza. Gulino has pledged that every GOP incumbent will have a Democratic challenger this year.
"We believe we will," said Elkins.
The party's sitting lawmakers -- Cusick, state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-North Shore) -- were also unanimously endorsed for re-election.
Meeting at Democratic headquarters in New Dorp, the panel unanimously endorsed Mark Murphy for Congress and John Mancuso to run against Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis (R-East Shore/Brooklyn).
The panel also unanimously endorsed attorney Anthony Mascolo to run for the South Shore Assembly seat. Republican Assemblyman Lou Tobacco is not running for re-election this year.
"Our candidates have the message, the issues and the resources," said Democratic chairman John Gulino. "It's going to be a fantastic year for the Democratic Party."
Despite speculation that former Rep. Michael McMahon, City Councilwoman Debi Rose (D-North Shore), Assemblyman Michael Cusick (D-Mid-Island) and Brooklyn Councilman Vincent Gentile were looking at the seat, no other candidates interviewed for the congressional slot.
"I am truly proud to have had the opportunity to stand before my hometown Democratic committee to talk about the important issues in this race and why it's so critical to elect a congressman who will go to Washington to create jobs and get our federal government working for the people of Staten Island," said Murphy, 41, son of former Democratic Rep. John Murphy.
Mark Murphy is looking to take on freshman Rep. Michael Grimm (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn) in the fall.
Mascolo, 56, is a partner in the West Brighton law firm Bosco & Mascolo.
"When I read that Lou Tobacco was not running, I said, this is a game change," he said. "I felt it gave an opportunity for some new blood."
His firm has done pro bono work for 9/11 families, and also did work involving the fatal 2003 Staten Island Ferry crash.
A Richmond resident, Mascolo has served on the board of the YMCA and the Staten Island Boys Football League. He also founded the Joe Plescia Memorial Super Meet in honor of a deceased friend and classmate, and coached in the Great Kills Little League.
A 1973 Farrell High School graduate, Mascolo spearheaded an effort that brought lighting to the school athletic field. He has also served on the school's board of directors.
Mascolo was honored by the Advance in 1999 for his dedication to youth sports.
Party deputy executive director Kevin Elkins said Mascolo has a "strong record of community involvement, and will bring the financial resources to the race that have never been brought to the South Shore before."
Mancuso, 31, said he had recently sold the family business, Silvestro's Deli and Caterers, so he could run full time.
Of the executive committee endorsement, he said, "It's good. They know I'm a hard worker and dedicated."
He served as director of operations when Gentile represented part of Staten Island in the state Senate, and was also Gentile's Council chief of staff.
Mancuso is the captain of the 122nd Precinct Auxiliary Police and the Auxiliary Police Highway Patrol 5.
The executive committee's selections are expected to be ratified at a full county convention on March 22.
By that time, the party also hopes to have a candidate in place to challenge Lanza. Gulino has pledged that every GOP incumbent will have a Democratic challenger this year.
"We believe we will," said Elkins.
The party's sitting lawmakers -- Cusick, state Sen. Diane Savino (D-North Shore/Brooklyn) and Assemblyman Matthew Titone (D-North Shore) -- were also unanimously endorsed for re-election.
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