Bloomberg endorses Island Republicans

 

Saturday, November 04, 2006

By TOM WROBLESKI

Mayor Michael Bloomberg came to Staten Island yesterday to endorse the slate of Republican Party candidates running for office this year.

"All of them are people I would urge you to vote for," Bloomberg told seniors at the Mount Loretto Friendship Club in Pleasant Plains.

Joining Bloomberg were Rep. Vito Fossella (R-Staten Island/Brooklyn), who is running for re-election; City Councilman Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore), who is running for state Senate; Assemblyman Vincent Ignizio (R-South Shore), who is running unopposed, and attorney Anthony Xanthakis, the GOP candidate for the 60th Assembly District seat.

"Vito has brought home the bacon to Staten Island and Brooklyn," Bloomberg said.

The mayor called Lanza "somebody I've worked with over the last five years."

"He really has made a very big difference in fighting overdevelopment on Staten Island," said Bloomberg, who added that Lanza would "make a very big difference" in the state Senate.

Lanza is running to replace the retiring state Sen. John Marchi (R-Staten Island).

Bloomberg called Xanthakis "one of these young, up-and-coming guys who really has the most potential for this city."

Ignizio, Bloomberg joked, "needs one vote to win."

"Vinny, thank you for everything you've done for the people of Staten Island," Bloomberg said.

The mayor said, "You've got to vote for these people who've really made a difference and have the potential to make a difference for all of us."

Lanza called Bloomberg "the best friend that Staten Island ever had in City Hall."

He said he wouldn't have been able to help secure funding for a fourth police precinct and new parks and athletic fields without Bloomberg's help.

"You know where I get it?" Lanza said. "You know who I ask for all those good things? Mayor Bloomberg. He never says 'no' to you on Staten Island."

Lanza also joked about the constant speculation that Bloomberg is considering a 2008 White House run, initially introducing him to the crowd as "president."

"I know it's been a long time since you've run for office," Lanza told the mayor. "Hopefully, it'll be a short time from when you run again."

Bloomberg, who has said he has no plans to run for president, did not comment on the White House speculation yesterday.

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