NY-13 Democrat Michael Cusick decides not to run for Congress in 2006

A friend of mine active in politics here in Brooklyn and Staten Island emailed me this article from the Staten Island Advance. Michael Cusick, one of the Democratic hopes to run against staunch Bush supporter Rep. Vito Fossella next year in 2006 has decided to keep his seat in the State Assembly and declare now that he will not run for Congress in 2006.  He stated that he knows that Democrats are eager to find a viable and vigorous candidate to run against Fossella, so he made his decision early. That leaves City Councilman Michael McMahon as the top choice for Democrats, and he seems to be on the fence. The article states that many possible candidates feel that Fossella will be tough to beat, despite a horrible year for the GOP.  

I am sure we can find a good candidate to beat Fossella. I know there are a lot of people here in NY-13 who do not like him at all.  He is somewhat of an institution, but I think he is definitely beatable.  This district has changed a lot, especially where I live in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, next to the Verrazano Bridge on the Brooklyn side.  If we get some vigorous volunteers and pound the pavement here, I think we can find out what people really want and formulate a good strategy.  Most of the homeowners here in Bay Ridge are over 50.  Their children left the area and cannot return because houses are too expensive.  And, the prices continue to go up as families and people from Williamsburg and Park Slope migrate south in search of more affordable housing. That could be one issue to focus on.  

I have helped organize a group of people through MoveOn.org who are willing to put in some time for this.  We were able to gather over 100 people for an anti-war march in August in support of Cindy Sheehan. As we marched through this mixed neighborhood with a strong Republican, NYPD, FDNY heritage, one marcher said," Wow, it feels great to chant 'Hey, Hey, Ho, Ho, George Bush has got to go!' here in Bay Ridge.  We couldn't have done this 10 years ago without being accosted." So, times they are a changin',and the old rules do not apply anymore.

Let's focu, Kossacks, and mobilize for NY-13. This is an important district and we cannot just give it to smug Fossella because we are too scared! Please add your thoughts for candidates, organizing volunteer squads to canvas, etc... We can do this!  

From: THE STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE

Assemblyman rejects a run for Congress
Democrat Cusick to seek re-election; McMahon may challenge Fossella
Thursday, December 29, 2005
By TOM WROBLESKI
ADVANCE BOROUGH HALL BUREAU
Democratic Assemblyman Michael Cusick said yesterday he will forgo a campaign against GOP Rep. Vito Fossella next year in order to run for re-election to the state Legislature.

Cusick's decision leaves City Councilman Michael McMahon as the highest-profile Democrat still considering the congressional race.

"It was a tough decision," said Cusick (D-Mid-Island). "It was something that was really enticing."

Cusick said the fact that he would have to give up his Assembly seat to run next year figured heavily in his decision. He said he wanted to make his intentions known early because he realizes the Democrats are eager to field a candidate.

"In my timetable, I felt I had to make a decision sooner," Cusick said.

While saying "it's always formidable to run against an incumbent," Cusick said he believes the Democrats can beat Fossella next year.

"There are many possible candidates out there," he said.

Assemblyman John Lavelle (D-North Shore), the borough Democratic leader, said he wants a candidate in place by the end of next month, but said he understands Cusick's decision.

"Giving up the Assembly seat, that's a big sacrifice to make," said Lavelle, who added that he believes a sitting incumbent would have the best shot against Fossella.

Political observers said Cusick's decision is an acknowledgment that Fossella will be hard to beat next year, despite state GOP woes and a strong Democratic ticket headed by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton.

"It's a tough race," said one insider. "He doesn't have a lot to fall back on. He's waited to be an elected official, and he loves what he's doing."

"Mr. Cusick made the right decision," said one Democrat, who believes that the party's best shot at the seat might come in 2012, when the 13th Congressional District lines will have been redrawn following the 2010 census.

"The nuances of having a new district make a difference," he said.

Meanwhile, Island Democrats, who have worked to keep the pressure on Fossella this year in anticipation of 2006, remain without a candidate.

McMahon (D-North Shore) is still thinking it over, and said he will have an announcement in a week or two.

"It's looming large, 2006," McMahon said. "I don't take it lightly."

Brooklyn City Councilman Vincent Gentile and Great Kills attorney Janele Hyer-Spencer are among those also looking at the race.

Regardless of the opponent, Fossella spokesman Craig Donner said Fossella "is going to run an aggressive campaign highlighting his strong record of achievement," including his efforts to bring the third bus depot and homeland security and first-responder money to the district.

Donner said any Democrat "is going to have a hard time arguing he can do better."

Tom Wrobleski covers politics for the Advance. He may be reached at [e-mail].

I left the email here in on purpose for a good media contact.