Staten Island DA Dan Donovan has decided to take a pass on running for the seat that will be vacated by Rep. Vito Fossella at the end of the year.
Donovan, who is a protege of former Staten Island Borough President Guy Molinari, had fielded calls from GOP leaders in Washington, D.C. urging him to get into the race. But he would have had to give up his post as DA to run, and evidently has decided it's not worth the risk.
In a prepared statement, Donovan expressed a desire to address unfinished business in his current post, specifically mentioning a need to curb domestic violence and crack down on deadbeat dads.
"While I am sincerely flattered by the time and attention focused on me at this time, and I am truly humbled by the expression of trust so many have placed in me and in my ability that they would forward my name to be the person to represent Staten Island in Congress, I feel that at this time, I am best able to serve the people of Staten Island in the position to which they re-elected me by such an overwhelming margin just six months ago as their District Attorney," Donovan said.
"Therefore, I am now removing my name for consideration for a candidacy for Congress. In doing so, I want
to thank all of the individuals, too numerous to mention here, from both the local and national levels who
have contacted me urging me to run for Congress and offering their support. I am truly humbled by the faith
you have expressed in me."
This leaves Sen. Andrew Lanza as the frontrunner, which is potentially problematic for Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, unless he can find a replacement candidate for Lanza's Senate seat. County Clerk Stephen Fiala is also considering a run.
This a pretty big blow to the NRCC as I know for a fact that they were very eager to recruit him for this race. I would have given the edge to Donovan in against any of the Dem names being talked about. The GOP's best hope is now Republican state Senator Andrew Lanza. Lanza holds a senate seat that is absolutely vital to Joe Bruno's ever shrinking majority. Now that Donovan is out, will Lanza be able to resist the temptation to toss his hat into the ring? Is Lanza's ambition greater than Bruno's pull?
What was shaping up to be a fascinating race just got much, much more interesting and I think much more winnable for the right Dem candidate.
