Two new endorsements in the race to defeat abramoff buddy and Bush-Republican Vito Fossella:

This week the Democratic Organization of Richmond County (Staten Island's oldest Democratic organization) voted 22-3 to endorse Steve Harrison.

Last week the Staten Island Democratic Association voted 42-6 to endorse Steve Harrison for Congress.

Add to these new endorsements Frank Barbaro's endorsement, the fact that only 30% of Dominic Recchia's donors come from inside the NY-13 district, I think this further proves that Steve Harrison is the local boy and Recchia is the hack being thrust on the district by the Brooklyn Democratic machine of Vito Lopez. Steve Harrison gets 60% of his support from inside the district. Vito Lopez's developer friends are the ones backing Recchia. Harrison is backed by locals.

Eyes on the prize: Recchia and Harrison both are preferrable to Bush Republican Vito "Endless War" Fossella. Vito Fossella has GOT to go. A reminder. This is what the NY Times wrotea bout Fossella in 2006:

Fossella [is] anything but the independent fighter for constituents that he claims to be in this campaign. He has been a real water-carrier for the Bush administration and the Republican leadership, staunchly backing the war in Iraq while at the same time denying health benefits to National Guard and Reserve members who make up much of the American force there.

The congressman...has been unsympathetic to environmental concerns and has opposed a woman’s right to choose. He does his constituents no favors by his support for privatizing Social Security. He has voted to protect gun makers and sellers. While Mr. Fossella has lately sought funding to deal with health problems related to to the attacks of Sept. 11, he has largely been missing on important local issues. His Democratic colleague, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, who represents the Sixth District, has often been left to advocate Staten Island’s many transportation needs, including the North Shore rail.

Mr. Fossella has offered only lame excuses for improperly using his campaign funds for skiing holidays in Vail (including lessons and equipment), as well as vacations in Florida — transgressions first reported by the Daily News. He has received donations from a lobbying firm with ties to Jack Abramoff. Earlier this year, he was fined a reported $60,000 for misusing his taxpayer-funded official mailing privileges.

— NY Times Editorial Board in 2006