BP Molinaro Endorses McMahon for Congress

via press release;

Building on Long Relationship Working Together for Staten Island, Molinaro Endorses McMahon as Best Candidate to Fight for the 13th CD in Congress
September 13, 2008 – Council Member Michael McMahon today received his first major endorsement in the general election race for the 13th Congressional District from Staten Island Borough President James Molinaro. Molinaro, who is a Conservative, crossed party lines to make the endorsement, touting McMahon as the best candidate to fight for the needs of Staten Island and Southern Brooklyn in Congress given his record of winning results as a City Council member and his thorough knowledge of the district.

The announcement took place at the St. George Ferry Terminal, where McMahon and Molinaro have been partners in fighting for the improvements and infrastructure necessary to turn the terminal into an economic engine for the North Shore.

"Borough President Molinaro has broken the mold for what we expect from a leader on Staten Island. I am honored to have his endorsement, and will do my best to meet his example. With his support, I pledge to bring the fight for real change for this district all the way to Washington, and work day and night to get the results that we all need on Staten Island and in Southern Brooklyn. From better traffic solutions, to smarter health care policy and real economic relief for the middle class, it's time Washington worked for us and not the other way around," said McMahon.

"Mike McMahon has always been there for Staten Island, and now Staten Island needs to be there for him. Mike has consistently delivered for Staten Island on increased ferry service, a long-term solid waste plan, new parks and libraries, and more nurses for our schools. I know he'll bring that same fight for the district to Washington, and that's why I am endorsing him as the best and only choice to represent the 13th Congressional District in Congress," said Molinaro.

McMahon and Molinaro have a long history working together for the benefit of Staten Island, and winning results for the borough. The two were instrumental in the creation of the Growth Management Task Force that successfully dealt with problems of over-development, and the Traffic Mitigation Task Force that brought together city, state and federal agencies to create and implement solutions to the growing traffic problem on Staten Island. The Task Force led to the elimination of left turns on Hylan Boulevard, created more "Park and Rides", and helped establish the S89 bus service over the Bayonne Bridge.

In addition, Molinaro was at the ready when parties reached an impasse on McMahon's solid waste management plan, ensuring that everyone returned to the table and worked out a deal for the good of the city and borough, guaranteeing that Fresh Kills would remain closed by mandating that each borough deal with its own trash. McMahon and Molinaro also worked closely together on the Ferry Bill that delivered increased ferry service for Staten Island commuters, and procuring the funding and planning necessary for the creation of the Mariner's Harbor Library.

This is Molinaro's third endorsement of McMahon, following his endorsements for McMahon in his City Council races in 2003 and 2005.

McMahon has a long history of reaching across the aisle to achieve results. The New York Times lauded McMahon for his non-partisan approach in its primary endorsement, stating McMahon "has proved adept at reaching out to moderates and conservatives. That broad appeal would be an advantage in representing this conservative-leaning district." The Staten Island Advance also cited McMahon's history of cooperation in its primary endorsement of McMahon, writing "he has consistently disdained partisan rancor in favor of getting positive results, and that rare trait will stand him in good stead in a fractious Congress."

Molinaro's endorsement is the latest in a series of good news for McMahon, who is in a strong position going into the general election. With national observers rating the race "likely Democrat" across the board, McMahon closed out the primary with a huge vote total and enthusiasm edge over his Republican opponent, with 11,792 votes for McMahon in the primary compared to only 3,617 for the Republican. In addition, as of the last filing deadline, McMahon held a forty-five-fold cash on hand advantage over his Republican opponent, with $500,000 on hand going into the general as opposed to $11,000 for the Republican.

McMahon received key support in the primary and going into the general, including primary endorsements from the Staten Island Advance, New York Times, Brooklyn Paper and Courier Life, endorsements from elected leaders including Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, Senator Charles Schumer, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, former Mayor Ed Koch, and members of the New York City Congressional Delegation, and critical labor support from the New York State AFL–CIO, the United Federation of Teachers, 1199 SEIU Healthcare East, UFCW, RWDSU, the UFA and UFOA. 

Upon entering the race, McMahon also earned a spot on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee's vaunted "Red to Blue" program, promising financial, communications and strategic support from the national party.

The General Election will be held on November 4th.