Contrary to false rumors (read that as outright lies) spread by the Vito Lopez machine (in the long tradition of the Brooklyn machine at least from Clarence Norman on), Steve Harrison has announced he is in the primary for the NY-13 race to the end. He also tells me he has had over 450 contributions online alone in the past 2 days.

Let me take this opportunity to reiterate that in every Brooklyn primary I have been a part of I have heard lies about people dropping out. In most cases it hasn't been true. These lies are spread by people on blogs, on the street while petitioning, through email, etc. It is a tactic, Occasionally I have seen anti-machine people use it, but generally it is the machine using it. This is just one more case of the operation of a political machine that has no interest in truth, governance or even, in most cases, beating Republicans. It is a political machine whose one and only goal is the maintenance of their own power.

And to the individual who has in another thread been spreading such rumors and accusing me of ignorance, I have this to say: Bite me.

Just heard (through two sources and partly confirmed on NY-1) that Frank Powers, Sr., Republican candidate to replace the disgraced Republican Vito Fossella for the NY-13 Conrgessional seat, has died, possibly of a heart attack.

This tragic turn continues the series of bad luck that have dogged the Republicans in the NY-13 race. Perhaps the district is living up to its number vis a vis the Republicans.

After Vito Fossella's disgrace, caught both DWI and engaged in bigamy, more or less, the Republicans have had a hard time finding a candidate to run. Finally they roped in Frank Powers, an MTA board member. His candidacy immediately seemed to run into problems when his son, also called Frank Powers, decided to run for the same seat as a Libertarian. Meanwhile Steve Harrison and Mike McMahon compete for the Democratic seat while the Conservative Party was considering Mike McMahon because he had convinced them he supported Bush's war.

So it looked like we'd have TWO Frank Powers running. Now it seems we have none. The son lost the Libertarian nomination to Susan Overeem and the father has now died.

FORUM
NY’S 13TH CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT

Organized by:

Democracy for NYC • Stonewall Democratic Club,
Three Parks Democratic Club • Village Reform Democrats, truth 13

Vito Fossella, New York City’s only Republican member of Congress, has been a rubber-stamp for the Bush-Cheney White House. The NYC progressive community is determined to replace Fossella, and two Democratic candidates are running against him.

Join us for a candidate forum
to discuss issues of importance to the people of the 13th CD and the entire city.

April 15, 2008
6:30 PM

Lafayette Grill and Bar 54 Franklin Street

Take the N,R,Q,6, C and A trains to Canal Street
or the 1 train to Franklin Street.

Both Democratic candidates have been invited to attend:

Steven Harrison Dominic Recchia

(As of April 10, Steven Harrison has confirmed his attendance. Councilmember Recchia has not yet confirmed his attendance.)

The 13th Congressional District covers Staten Island and part of southwest Brooklyn. This event is being held in Manhattan to make it possible for many people to attend.

We can defeat Vito Fossella!!!

[UPDATE: I have heard from two others that they have heard the same, that Recchia is dropping out. On the other hand, someone is claiming to have heard right from someone close to Recchia himself that the rumor is not true. Well...that's the nature of rumors! Take it all with a grain of salt.]

[SECOND UPDATE: I am hearing Recchia's campaign is denying the rumor. Time will tell. It may just be a case of them not being ready to bow out or it may be that a decision hasn't yet been reached by there has been discussion, or it could be Albany gossip was wrong.]

A rumor from Albany was passed along tonight at the Independent Neighborhood Democrats meeting. It is unconfirmed. I have only one person's word on it, but that person is not one to spread random rumors. That person thinks the rumor is reliable, but will check on it.