Frank Powers

The death of Frank Powers means Republicans on Staten Island are, again, looking for someone to run for Vito Fossella’s seat.

So, who’s on the list?

Scratch off District Attorney Dan Donovan, whose spokesman said he hasn’t changed his mind from last month about not running for the seat. Also not interested in running is City Councilman Vinny Ignizio. When I asked him to appear on video saying he doesn’t want to run, he declined, calling it “a moot point.” City Councilman Jimmy Oddo and State Senator Andrew Lanza haven't changed their minds either.

Who does that leave?

Staten Island Republicans chose Frank Powers as their candidate for Vito Fossella's congressional seat. Shortly after, Powers' son, Fran Powers, announced that he would seek the office on the Libertarian ticket.

It's going to be a weird one.

"This is not about my dad," Fran Powers says in this video, where he lays out his position on various topics, although he admits that running against his father “gives [him] a different platform than is normal."  read more »