Assemblymember Lou Tobacco is up for re-election this November for the Assembly seat he has held for just a year and a half. Tobacco was first elected to the Assembly from this district at the southern end of Staten Island in a March 2007 special election to replace resigning Assemblymember Vincent Ignizio, who decided to move over to the City Council.
Before running for office himself, Tobacco served as a summer intern for then Borough President Guy Molinari while he was Borough President and then interned for Molinari again when Molinari was elected to the U.S. House.
At the end of September, Tobacco's campaign had $44,902 with recent contributions of $6,190. Albanese had received $3,627 and had $3,429 on hand.
Tobacco also has also been endorsed by the Conservative and Independence parties.
In his first regular election, Tobacco faces Democratic candidate Albert J. Albanese. Albanese is active in the Democratic Party in Staten Island, though little other information is available about him.
Tobacco disclosed having $45,000 currently in campaign funds. Albanese currently has $3,000.
Assemblymember Ann Margaret Carrozza is running for re-election in the 26th Assembly District. First elected in 1996, Carrozza has primarily sponsored legislation that focus on health and senior citizen's issues. Carrozza has also been endorsed by the Working Families Party.
Carrozza faces Republican candidate Robert Speranza in this election. Speranza is a retired police officer who was one of the responders on Sept. 11, 2001. He is currently a member of Queens Community Board 11, representing Bayside.
Carrozza has little in the way of campaign funds, having collected about $150 in contributions and showing a campaign balance of $3,555 at the beginning of October. Speranza filed a "no activity statement."
Since coming to the State Senate in 1992, Ruben Diaz Sr. has compiled an unusual profile, which shows up in the fact he appears on both the Democratic and Republican party lies o Tuesday, A reverend who served briefly in the City Council, Diaz said he conducted the first Pentecostal service ever inside City Hall and has been an outspoken opponent of abortion and same-sex marriage. However, Diaz has said, " When it comes to education, health, job protection, social services, I am one of the best Democrats you could find."
In July he said he would not say whether, if re-elected, he would ally with Democrats or Republicans in the Senate, a scenario that could give sleepless nights to party leaders from both sides as they fight for control of the body. His son, Ruben Diaz Jr., serves in the State Assembly -- as a Democrat.
Little information was available on the elder Diaz's Conservative opponent, William McDonagh.
Diaz's most recent campaign filing showed him with $33,220. McDonagh showed no contributions.
The district includes parts of Castle Hill, Clason Point, Hunts Point, Longwood, Melrose, Morrisania, Parkchester, Pelham Parkway, Soundview and Union Port.