Malliotakis’ endorsement of Steven Matteo for City Council seat means she’ll keep representing part of Brooklyn

Contested City Council Race in Staten Island won’t effect Brooklyn as Nicole sits tight in her trans-Narrows Assembly seat

According to the Staten Island Advance, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis endorsed Republican Steven Matteo in his race for the Mid-Staten Island City Council seat now held by Councilman James Oddo.  Matteo had been the Chief of Staff to Mr. Oddo, who had to give up the Council seat because of term-limits, and he has shifted his sights to the Staten Island Borough Presidency ( See “Assemblywoman Malliotakis endorses Steven Matteo in race for Staten Island's Mid-Island City Council seat” by Tom Wrobleski, 1/23/13, Staten Island Advance  [http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/01/gop_assemblywoman_malliotakis_2.html]).

Last week in Politicker, Colin Campbell had mentioned that Malliotakis’ endorsement of Matteo
would naturally take her out of contention for a run for Oddo’s council seat. Although Assemblywoman Malliotakis did not make any moves toward a City Council run, her name had been mentioned as a possibility for the mid-Staten Island since winning her election against incumbent Assemblywoman Janele Hyer-Spencer in 2010.

According to Councilman Oddo, “I am thrilled and appreciative that Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis has heartily endorsed Steve Matteo. Nicole's decision was based on what she thinks is best for her constituents and the community. That says a lot about Steve, but also says a lot about her.”  Long ago, Councilman Oddo had expressed his hope that he could be succeeded by his Chief of Staff Matteo.

2013 is the first time that “the Oddo seat” has been “open” since 1999; and since the mid- Staten Island district is considered a swing district, it has attracted multiple candidacies in both the Democratic and Republican Parties.

For the Republicans, in addition to Matteo as a declared candidate, is attorney Lisa Giovinazzo, a vice chairperson of the Staten Island Republican Party. Thus far, Steven Matteo has raised $34,024 for the race, and according to city Campaign Finance Board records, Lisa Giovinazzo has raised  $11,275. Also looking at the possibility of entering the race on the GOP side are Dr. Mohammad Khalid, president of the Iron Hills Civic Association and a member of the Civilian Complaint Review Board, and Steve Margarella, owner of Margarella Asphalt and Paving.

Democrats mentioned as considering a run include: Mark Murphy, who ran for Congress last year; John Mancuso, a 2012 Assembly candidate, and James Pocchia, who lost to Oddo in 2009.

Even though all the matters mentioned above appeared to be wholly within the borders of Richmond County, if Nicole Malliotakis had gone into the City Council, it would have meant a race for her seat that includes part of Bay Ridge in Kings County.