NY-13: Cusick For Congress?

Even with last year's Democratic landslide, there was still one Republican standing in Congress from New York City.

Rep. Vito Fossella, a Republican who represents New York's 13th district, including Staten Island and a small piece of Southwestern Brooklyn won reelection against a low-profile Democrat 57%-43%. Fossella represents a seat that is politically equally divided, and has been represented by a Republican for more than two decades, but Democrats have the district on their radar.

Rep. Anthony Weiner from Brooklyn and Queens, a front runner to be the next Mayor of New York City, recently pointed out a potential opponent for Fossella in 2008 while speaking to a Democratic club in Staten Island;

"It would be great to have Mike fighting for us in Congress instead of Vito Fossella," Weiner told the crowd

He is speaking of New York State Assemblyman Mike Cusick (D-Staten Island), who represents a huge swath of the middle of the island, including some of the island's (and New York City's) fastest growing neighborhoods. Politically, Cusick's State Assembly district the political swing areas of Fossella's Congressional district. Bush won them in 2004, but Gore did in 2000. Fossella has won Cusick's district in every one of this races.

Fossella is far more conservative than the moderate Susan Molinari, who represented the district until 1997. Fossella received the second highest lifetime rating in New York State from the American Conservative Union; higher than well-known conservatives Tom Reynolds and Peter King, only Republican Randy Kuhl of Steuben County got a higher score.

The New York 13th district can be politically fickle. The Brooklyn portion of the district is heavily Democratic, the Northern Staten Island portion leans Democratic, while the Southern Staten Island portion is heavily Republican. It is Cusick's district where the seat is won. Cusick, geographically, is an excellent candidate for the district. The 2006 candidate, Steve Harrison, was from Brooklyn. A Staten Island candidate would create more appeal among swing voters in Staten Island, where a vast majority the district's voters are located.

Cusick is on top of the list, along with State Senator Diane Savino, who's district is pretty much the same as the northern half of the 13th. (Northern Staten Island and Southwest Brooklyn). Savino also lives on Staten Island.

Cusick has said he has not yet thought about a Congressional run in 2008, but expect the DCCC to push for him to run (and if not him, Savino), and pouring a hell of a lot of money into the race. The Democrats can't be too pleased to hold a majority in Congress and still have a Republican from New York City.