Griffin Fossella, son of Staten Island President Vito Fossella, announced plans to run for New York City Council on Saturday.
At a campaign kickoff event at La Fontana in Oakwood, the 27-year-old financial worker at Great Kills said he is pursuing politics for his deep affection in his hometown. Staten Island Advance has been reported.
“A lot of you probably wonder why I'm doing this,” Fossella said. “I can tell you in one sentence: I love Staten Island.”
“Given your opportunity to serve as council member, I promise to fight day and night for you, and I am privileged and great responsibility for it to be a selective representative. I know there is.”
The young expert is running for district seating on the 51st Committee, representing the South Shore. The seats were vacant by Republican Joseph Borelli. Joseph Borelli resigned at the end of last month to get a job in the private sector, spurring the special election planned for April 29th.
Alumni at the 2015 Monsignor Farrell High School listed crime, drugs and violence in other districts as his main concerns. And he was worried that the children who grew up on Staten Island didn't have the same sense of safety he was growing up, the outlet reported.
“It's no secret that many bad things are happening not too far from us. If the government doesn't take accountability, then before we know that the issues of other districts have become our own. It will be,” he said.
In a Sunday statement to the Post, Fossella reiterated his love for the island, saying that if elected he would bring energy and vision to the city council.
“I am committed to fighting for better schools, safer neighborhoods, strong support for police officers, improved transport, and a more affordable city with quality of life for all residents. I will,” he said.
His father, Vito, moved on as his son's announcement filled him with pride, adding that Griffin's heart was “in the right place.”
“At the center point, he said it in one sentence – I think we love Staten Island,” Press said. “We want to do the best for the people of Staten Island. We fight for them and fight against those who want to hurt Staten Island.”
Vito won the Special City Council election to represent the South Shore in 1994 and was elected to the US Congress three years later.
Republicans left Staten Island and South Brooklyn for 11 years until 2009 after drunk driving arrests and revelation that there was a secret second family in Virginia.
However, he was elected to a largely ceremonial position as President of the Staten Island Borough in 2022, continuing his decades of GOP rule over that position.
With post wire
