Liz has the huge and saddening news out of NY-13 today: GOP candidate Frank Powers has died of a heart attack.
GOP and law enforcement sources confirmed Powers, 68, a retired Wall Street executive and MTA board member, died at his Annfield Court home on Staten Island.
"We're back to square one in terms of finding a candidate," said one obviously shaken Staten Island Republican. "You go from the bizarre to the surreal around here."
UPDATE: Powers' family issued the following statement:
"Our dad Frank passed away early this morning. As you can imagine, this is a difficult time for our family. We would appreciate privacy and time as we make the necessary arrangements."
"We shall have more information when final arrangesments have been made. We thank you for your kindness and cooperation and ask you to keep our dad and family in your prayers."
The personal irony here is that my father is 68 - just as Frank Powers was. Two men of the same age, yet two different outcomes.
Obviously there is a huge story here politically. Who will replace Powers on the ballot? Who will the GOP turn to now in an already complicated race? Sen. Andrew Lanza's name is being tossed around again, among other possible GOP candidates.
However, this is a sad day for the Powers family. My thoughts are with them. We might be on different sides of the aisle, but we are all on the side of humanity. |
