Republicans choose North Shore candidate

via the SI Advance;

Staten Island Republicans have again chosen Westerleigh public school teacher Rose Margarella to run for the North Shore Assembly seat.

This is to fill the 61st Assembly District seat left vacant by the passing of Assemblyman Lavelle. The Democratic Party will be selecting their candidate tonight, most likely giving it to Daniel Lavelle or Bob Olivari. The North Shore Assembly seat is expected to stay in Democratic hands. The special election for this seat will take place March 27.

Candidates for Mr. Lavelle's Assembly seat

Announced:
(D) Daniel Lavelle
(D) John Luisi, 2005 candidate for borough president.
(D) Matthew Titone, 2006 state Senate candidate
(D) Rev. John Johnson
(D) Bob Olivari
(D) Mark Zink, a public school teacher who worked for Lavelle
(D) Daniel McOlvin, a Community Board 1 member
(D) John Castelli, Brooklyn Assistant District Attorney
(D) Kelvin Alexander, co-founder of 100 Blacks in Law Enforcement Who Care
(D) Rajiv Gowda, president of the New York City Education Council

Potentials:
(D) John Minardo
(D) Debi Rose, 2001 City Council candidate
(D) Rev. Dr. Tony Baker, pastor of St. Philip's Baptist Church in Port Richmond

Not Running:
(D) City Councilman Mike McMahon

Potential Republican Challengers:
(R) Robert Helbock, former state Senate candidate
(R) Al Curtis, former state Senate candidate

Gov Spitzer will determine if there will be a special election for this seat, or he could have it filled in November on election day.

UPDATE
Added Rev. John Johnson as potential candidate. Also Gov. Spitzer has set a special election date for March 27.

UPDATE 2
The Staten Island's Democratic county committee will choose a candidate Tuesday, February 27. Several new names added, McMahon removed.

Daniel Lavelle to seek father's seat

via the SI Advance;

The youngest son of the late Assemblyman John Lavelle intends to seek his father’s heavily Democratic North Shore seat.

“My father and I were always close,” said Daniel Lavelle, 30, a Democrat who is the call-center manager for the city Board of Elections. “I want his work to continue.”