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The Race ...

Staten Island President

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Election Results ...

General Election Results

James Molinaro

Primary Results

No Primary

Candidates...

The Incumbent:
James Molinaro

General Election Challenger(s):
John Luisi

Primary Election Challenger(s):

(Candidate Biographies below)

Campaign Finance Board General Election Voter Guide for Staten Island President

Campaign Finance Board Voter Guide for Staten Island President

Feature Articles ...

A Two-Man Race in Staten Island

July 18, 2005

Republican-Conservative James Molinaro has been around the Staten Island borough president's office for a long time. After serving as deputy borough president for 12 years, he won election to the top job in 2001. Now, he hopes to keep the post for another four years.

But John Luisi, a real estate lawyer who has long been active in Staten Island affairs, wants to stop him. Luisi will appear on the Democratic, Working Families and Independence Party lines in November.

At first glance at least, it seems Molinaro will have an easier time this year than he did four years ago. Then, he faced tough primary and general election fights. Now, though, Molinaro has the power of incumbency. And while registered Democrats outnumber Republicans on Staten Island, the borough tends to vote Republican - electing the city's only Republican member of Congress and its only Republican district attorney.

Molinaro holds a sharp edge in contributions. According to filings with the Campaign Finance Board he has raised more than $250,000, while Luisi has less than $20,000. Luisi conceded the gap in funds is "a hurdle I have to overcome" but said he hoped city matching funds and his own energy would help bridge the gap.

Luisi said he is running because Staten Islanders believes it is time for a change. He said he would provide the island with "a fresh hands-on community leader instead of a seasoned politician."

Both candidates cite development as key issues facing the island. Molinaro said he worked for downzoning, which, he says on his web site, "has reduced the number of new homes that can be built on the Island by 75,000."

But Luisi still sees development as a problem. "We're razing forests and putting up more houses than should be there in places that don't have transportation" and adequate schools, he said.

Luisi also expressed concerns about the planned NASCAR track for Staten Island, which he called "a house of cards which, at the slightest shiver, collapses" He said the stadium could create an array of traffic problems on the island's roads and ferries.

Molinaro has previously said the stock car track could provide economic benefits to the island but has also said traffic could prose a problem.

Candidate Bios ...

The Incumbent:

James Molinaro | Rep | Con |
James P. Molinaro was elected Staten Island Borough President in 2001. He served as Deputy Borough President to former Borough President Guy V. Molinari for twelve years. Molinaro also served as the Conservative Party’s Chairman of Richmond County, Vice Chair and then Executive Vice Chair of the state party, a post that he still holds.

Challenger(s):

John Luisi | Dem | WFP | IND |
A real estate lawyer, John Luisi grew up on Staten Island. He graduated from Columbia College and Fordham Law School and has been active in community affairs on Staten Island, including the fight to increase ferry service and to change zoning in the St. George area.

Campaign Trail ...

Below are the latest Campaign Trail items for the Staten Island President race. For the full Campaign Trail archive, go here

Molinaro Holds Fundraising Lead

March 22, 2005
Borough President James Molinaro has raised more than $160,000 for his re-election camapgin so far, while his Democratic challenger John Luisi has raised $10,050 for the race so far, according to the latest filings with the city Campaign Finance Board (CFB). (Staten Island Advance)

Candidate Marries

June 15, 2005
Democratic borough president candidate John Luisi took a break from the campaign trail to get married. (Staten Island Advance)

Molinaro to Run Again

February 13, 2005
Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro
Saturday that he will seek a second term. (NY 1)

Anthony Pocchia, O'Donovan's ex aide, may take on former boss for S.I. President

January 24, 2005
Former North Shore City Councilman Jerome X. O'Donovan may have some familiar, and contentious, Democratic company as he contemplates another run for borough president this year.

Sources say attorney Anthony Pocchia, 59, O'Donovan's former counsel who had a public falling-out with him over the 2003 district attorney's race, is also mulling a campaign against Borough President James Molinaro
(Staten Island Advance)

Full Staten Island President Campaign Trail Archive

Staten Island President Campaign Trail in RSS format.