Sad news to report from Staten Island, presumptive Republican nominee for the 13th Congressional District of New York died of a heart attack today, he was 68. It is a terrible tragedy for the Powers family and I give them my whole-hearted sympathies and prayers. It is hard to imagine in 2008, but there are some things that are above politics, despite some sick minds out there. Of course this news also brings political complications with it, as Staten Island GOP members have mentioned already.
From The Daily Politics:
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."[...]News raced through political circles Sunday, causing concern and dismay among local Republicans, many of whom are still reeling from the drunk driving arrest and out-of-wedlock child revelation that caused Republican Rep. Vito Fossella to decline to seek another term this fall.
"I think we need to back to the well and revisit everybody we considered," said Brooklyn GOP Chairman Craig Eaton. "Some time has gone by since all those people said they weren't interested."That list includes: Sen. Andrew Lanza, Councilman James Oddo, Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan and Paul Atanasio, an enrolled Conservative whom Eaton's organization first endorsed before following the Staten Island GOP's lead and backing Powers in the interest of party unity.
It is a sad day for the Powers' family, but a continuous struggle for the GOP down in Staten Island and the southern parts of Brooklyn.
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