McMahon Pledges To Bring 'Integrity And Respect Back' To The 13th CD (DCCC endorses)

[brooklynite]

Source: NY Daily News

Councilman Mike McMahon's congressional bid was endorsed today by Council Speaker Christine Quinn and DCCC Chairman Chris Van Hollen, who said Rep. Vito Fossella's decision not to run for re-election in the wake of his drunk-driving/second family scandal has made the 13th CD a top priority for the Democrats.

As a rule, the DCCC doesn't endorse in primaries, (Steve Harrison is still in the race for the Democratic line) but is making an exception in this race in part because the seat is now so much in play, Van Hollen said.

The DCCC won't be spending money on the primary. But McMahon has a good shot of getting into its Red-to-Blue fundraising program (10 candidates will be chosen next week) through which donors are encouraged to give to candidates in key races around the country.

Van Hollen thanked Harrison for his "hard work" in the district, but also stressed that Democratic leaders in Staten Island and Brooklyn (the often-forgotten piece of the 13th CD) are aligned behind McMahon. Asked if he would urge Harrison to leave the race, Van Hollen replied that he's not in the business of doing that.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/dailypolitics/2008/06/mcmahon-pledges-to-bring-integ.html

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also:

Democrats Rally Around McMahon in S.I. Race

Democratic elected officials are clearly trying to make sure that City Councilman Michael E. McMahon has the upper hand in his campaign for the party’s nomination for the Congressional seat now held by Vito J. Fossella, a Republican who represents Staten Island and parts of Brooklyn.

Mr. Fossella’s fellow members of Congress from New York City — all Democrats — put out a statement endorsing Mr. McMahon for the seat being vacated by the congressman.

...snip...

“Following the lead of local Staten Island and Brooklyn Democrats, the New York City Congressional delegation is proud to stand behind Staten Island Councilman Mike McMahon in his campaign for Congress,” the statement said.

..snip...

The statement was signed by Representative Charles B. Rangel of Harlem, the dean of the New York City delegation. It was signed by all the members of Congress from New York, all Democrats: Yvette D. Clarke, Gary L. Ackerman, Joseph Crowley, Eliot L. Engel, Carolyn B. Maloney, Gregory W. Meeks, Jerrold L. Nadler, Edolphus Towns, José E. Serrano and Anthony D. Weiner.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/12/democrats-rally-around-mcmahon-in-si-race/

I know a lot of people here have been supporting Harrison, but I'm inclined to agree with the thinking that an SI-based candidate may be more attractive to local voters, notwithstanding Harrison's results in 2006.

[MarjorieG]

1. This is Brooklyn politics at its nastiest.

Steve Harrison was a surprisingly good candidate last time, active in the community and with smarts, entered late, outspent 13 to 1, but still came in at 43% and the best of anyone to date in that District and against Fosella.

This time, Steve even asked McMahon if he'd run and would be willing to step aside. McMahon not wanting that kind of a competition said no, and Steve has been working for more than two years to bring over the very diverse neighborboods of two boroughs.

The Democratic leaders are following the lead of a scheming and ethically challenged Dem borough leader, Vito Lopez, who is playing his own game of dividing Brooklyn for his personal power.

McMahon is a council member, so of course Speaker Christine Quinn will endorse him. The DCCC has been ill-advised of the situation, but as often happens, the machine candidate comes forward when it looks more winnable.

Nasty business.