Copyright Staten Island Advance
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — It’s Election Day and New Yorkers have the opportunity to elect a new mayor, public advocate, and city comptroller. Staten Island, in addition to those three races, is voting on borough president, the 49th Council District, the 50th Council District, the 51st Council District, There will also be a special election for New York Supreme Court 13th Judicial District and New York City Civil Court Richmond County 1st Municipal Court District. Polls are open Nov. 4, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. You can find your polling site on vote.nyc/page/find-your-poll-site Mayoral Candidates Zohran K. Mamdani Democratic Party, Working Families Party Presently the Democratic representative of Queens’ 36th Assembly District, Zohran Mamdani has his eyes set on making buses free for residents — akin to the iconic Staten Island Ferry. “When someone tells you buses could never be free, ask them how much they pay to take the Staten Island Ferry,” Mamdani wrote in an X post promoting a video shot May 30 following a visit to the Island. Mamdani says he wants the same for commuters in the five boroughs who rely on MTA buses to get around. He was a major proponent of the free bus pilot program that ran to Aug. 31, 2024, and included the S46/96 route. The self-described Democratic Socialist has led an energetic campaign with savvy marketing on social media, and a series of recent high-profile endorsements, including from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rep. Nydia Velazquez. Mamdani’s campaign website lays out a series of policy initiatives he would hope to implement if elected. Andrew M. Cuomo Fight and Deliver Party A 2025 mayoral bid has former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo poised to re-enter the halls of power in a political career that has taken him across the various levels of government with his name once being floated as a possible presidential candidate. That rising star came crashing down in 2021 when allegations of sexual misconduct and mishandling of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic saw him resign from office as it became clear state legislators would seek to remove him. According to a 17-part questionnaire from the Advance/SILive.com that Cuomo answered, he said: “One of the most important issues in this election is the declining quality of life in New York City.” Curtis A. Sliwa Republican Party, Protect Animals Party Guardian Angels founder Curtis Sliwa’s campaign focuses on public safety, government accountability, and improved quality of life for residents. Sliwa’s public safety plan includes adding 7,000 police officers to patrol subway cars and stations, promising that New Yorkers “deserve to feel safe going to school or work” and should be able to “enjoy exploring our city without fearing for your life.” On his campaign website, Sliwa emphasizes his history of “organizing everyday people to step up and make their communities better.” “MTA, [is a] money taking agency; they love to take your money, promise you everything, and deliver… bupkis,” the self-proclaimed “mass transit mayor,” said in a recent meeting with the Advance/SILive.com. He also stated that he supports the removal of bike lanes after six months of nonuse and the removal of street cameras. Sliwa’s plan for government reform includes working directly with NYPD precincts to identify crime hotspots and quality of life issues, while improving waste management through better coordination between the Department of Sanitation and City Council members. On his website, Sliwa promises to make city agencies more effective by “eliminating bureaucracy and increasing transparency in decision-making” while improving communication between agencies, the mayor’s office, and Council members’ offices. Sliwa also vowed to abolish the Animal Care Centers of New York City, which are “kill shelters.” The candidate and his wife have rescued many cats from the streets and kill shelters of New York City. According to his campaign, his vision for New York includes “a future with low crime, relief for working people, and quality education that inspires our students to better their lives and dream big.” Race for Borough President Vito Fossella Republican Party Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella originally took office in 2022, following a break from politics. “A few years ago, I decided to get back into public life because I felt the city, and to a degree, Staten Island, was heading in the wrong direction,” Fossella said at his first campaign event of the year. “The people trusted me a few years ago, and I hope I’ve earned their trust to get re-elected this November.” Fossella has outlined his opposition to several city policies during his tenure, including noncitizen voting, right-to-shelter migrant policies, bail reform and Battery Energy Storage Sites (BESS). He is also focused on quality of life issues while investing in education and health care. The borough president’s previous accomplishments include efforts to address food insecurity, plans to tackle the youth mental health crisis, support for the borough’s health care system, improvements to parks, anti-litter initiatives and collaborations with law enforcement. “Together, we’ve accomplished so much — but we’re just getting started. Let’s keep fighting for our borough. Let’s keep putting Staten Island first,” Fossella said. At a recent editorial board meeting with Advance/SILive.com, Fossella turned away from supporting Arthur Kill Terminal, a specialized port at the foot of the Outerbridge Crossing where offshore wind turbines and towers could be assembled and staged before being brought out to sea. “When the developers first approached me a few years back, [we] wanted to meet with them and among the first questions they asked is, ‘We need you to get us $100 million.’ ...you’re asking the wrong guy — would you all like $100 million?” Fossella joked. “I was not standing in opposition. If it happened on its own, it was fine… [but] I don’t see it happening.” Michael T. Colombo Democratic Party Democratic challenger Michael Colombo positions himself as a working-class alternative to Republican incumbent Vito Fossella in what he framed as a battle between career politicians and everyday residents. The candidate’s campaign is heavily focused on affordability and housing challenges facing middle-class families. “The cost of living keeps rising. Buying a home here? Good luck. Raising a family is getting harder and harder every year,” he said at his campaign kickoff at Empire Outlets in February. He has described himself as a product of New York City public schools and attended P.S. 53, P.S. 4, I.S. 75, Staten Island Technical High School and the College of Staten Island. According to his campaign website, Colombo has volunteered with several local organizations, including Staten Island Strong after Hurricane Sandy, City Harvest, Project Hospitality, the Tunnels to Tower Foundation, the Staten Island Pride Center and Great Kills Little League. Colombo has been an active proponent in attempting to halt the Northeastern Supply Enhancement Pipeline’s construction, partaking in protests and often speaking about it as a campaign topic. He is also opposed to the ongoing construction of truck terminals set to open on Arthur Kill Road along the borough’s South Shore. “We don’t need 30, 40, 50, 16-wheelers lining up to try to get into a small parking space. Additionally…cancer rates on the South Shore are up 20% compared to the rest of the Island and the rest of the city. This is only going to exacerbate that. We’re just pumping more and more pollutants into our air, more carcinogens from these diesel engines,” said Colombo at a meeting with Advance/SILive.com. Race for 51st Council District Frank Morano Republican Party, Conservative Party Frank Morano won the 51st Council district seat, which covers the South Shore, in the April special election after former Councilmember Joe Borelli stepped down earlier this year. Morano is against the City of Yes Plan, in favor of public safety, and opposed to a proliferation of BESS on the South Shore. He would also back Staten Islanders’ desire to secede from the rest of the city if they voted to do so. In a meeting with the Advance/SILive.com editorial board, Morano restated his support for the Island: “There’s this sense of alienation that all of us who live on the South Shore and probably in all of Staten Island feel from time to time with the rest of New York City, and with good reason,” he said. “What I try to do every day, even if it feels like we can do nothing else, is to instill that spirit of what I like to call ‘Staten Island patriotism.’” To that end, the councilmember said he’s held a series of community events to try to bring people together, and his first piece of introduced legislation would officially recognize the flag of Staten Island in the city administrative code. Cliff A. Hagen Democratic Party Born and raised on Staten Island, Cliff Hagen has spent over 20 years teaching at the Police Officer Rocco Laurie School, I.S. 72. His campaign website highlights several education priorities, including school safety and support for special needs students. According to his campaign, Hagen advocates for the full implementation of the NYC Safer Access door-locking plan to enhance security in schools. His stated goal is to streamline the permitting process while preserving Staten Island’s remaining open spaces and preventing “overdevelopment.” As a “champion for green spaces,” Hagen has successfully advocated for the creation of parks, playgrounds, and ballfields. His campaign indicates he will push for NYC Parks to receive 1% of the city budget for maintenance and improvements. In a meeting with the Advance/SILive.com editorial board, Hagen said projects like the Charleston truck depot, which he opposes, were cause enough for a change of direction in a City Council district that has only elected Republicans for decades. “The electeds are supposed to have our back. It’s constant vigilance. They should be watching the public record,” he said. Hagen also stated that “We need to protect the South Shore from the city interests that want to come and continue to wreak havoc.” John K. Buthorn Patriot Workers Line John Buthorn is looking to uproot the newly elected Morano after foregoing the April special election. Buthorn, a former NYPD cop and U.S. Marine veteran, has since gone into social work focusing on kids and adults covering a wide range of mental health issues. “I’m confident I have a unique blend of background and experience for the seat,” he said. “I believe it gives me a good, vast knowledge of problem solving and a personal purpose driven to serve the greater good.” In a meeting with the Advance/SILive.com editorial board, Buthorn stated that if elected, he would focus on basic government functions, like education, public safety, and supporting small businesses. “It’s just the basic stuff,” he said. “I mean, all those other things are great and we have to be involved in, but we have to start getting back to the basics of what city government is meant to do.” Race for 50th Council District David Carr Republican Party, Conservative Party David Carr, the councilmember representing the Mid-Island, has focused on quality of life projects and financial relief since taking office in November 2021. Carr’s legislative achievements include two enacted laws designed to provide financial relief to homeowners. His first piece requires the New York City Department of Buildings to waive filing fees for permits to repair fire damage and construction defects in homes. His second piece of enacted legislation offers more forgiving interest rates for homeowners. Before his election to the Council, Carr served as chief of staff to former City Council Minority Leader Steven Matteo for eight years. According to the New York City Council website, Carr’s current legislative priorities include requiring the Department of Transportation to study at least 100 speed camera locations annually and install raised speed reducers where feasible within one year. Carr also voiced support for a South Shore fast ferry and the need for additional express bus service to prevent overcrowding and encourage more mass transit use. In a meeting with the Advance/SILive.com editorial board, Carr said the biggest challenges facing the NYPD right now are recruitment and retention. “This is a problem of folks who are veterans of the police department not feeling like they’re in a position to do their jobs effectively anymore, that political leaders are not going to have their backs. That’s why I felt it so important to be supportive of the NYPD, to make sure that they have the tools to get the job done and to know that we trust them to do the job they’ve been so expertly trained to do,” he said. The incumbent has also taken positions on migrant shelter placement, leading the effort to close the shelter at the former St. John Villa High School and continuing to oppose shelter expansion in his district. Radhakrishna Mohan Democratic Party According to his campaign website, Radhakrishna Mohan campaign is focused on addressing rising costs, transportation issues, and healthcare. The platform includes plans to attract new businesses, invest in infrastructure, and create union jobs locally. Mohan’s website emphasizes building partnerships between police and community organizations for collaborative public safety efforts, as well as expanding bus services and increasing beds for opioid addiction treatment. Mohan works as an IT specialist for New York state and also serves on Community Board 1, where he works with city agencies to address vandalism, promote public safety, and preserve green spaces. In a meeting with the Advance/SILive.com editorial board, Mohan stated that something must be done to address the dozens of BESS sites that have been popping up in residential Staten Island neighborhoods. “Given the danger they pose, these should not be anywhere close to the community,” said Mohan. “Back in the day in India, I worked for an explosive company that the government started and that factory was all the way out in the mountains where no one would be impacted. So having that kind of experience, I think these should be moved out... not be anywhere close to the community.” For public safety, Mohan regularly attends his local NYPD Precinct Community Council meetings and said that the NYPD needs additional funding to hire more officers. He is a graduate of the NYC Citizens Police Academy and a member in the Community Emergency Response Team, as well as corresponding secretary and treasurer for both the 121st and 122nd Police Precinct Community Councils. When meeting with the editorial board, Mohan highlighted the success of the NYPD’s new Q-Teams — squads in each precinct dedicated to responding to non-emergency 911 and 311 calls in an effort to address quality of life issues, like abandoned vehicles, illegal scooters and late-night noise disturbances. Race for 49th Council District Kamillah M. Hanks Democratic Party The incumbent in this race, Kamillah Hanks is seeking to stay in her seat this election season after winning it in 2021. Hanks has decades of experience as a community leader, non-profit organization executive director, and work in economic development. The Sergeants Benevolent Association, the Lieutenants Benevolent Association, the Detectives’ Endowment Association, and the Captains’ Endowment Association all endorsed the Hanks’s 2025 re-election bid in a letter to the Democratic councilmember. “In 2021, I ran for creating this master plan, so I think my greatest accomplishment is actually keeping the promises that I made in 2021,” Hanks said in a meeting with the Advance/SILive.com editorial board. “I am absolutely proud of the fact that we bought $426 million of generational investment.” Projects in the plan include the Mary Cali Dalton Center in Tompkinsville, a 500-unit residential development in Stapleton that will be the largest mass-timber construction in the five boroughs, and a new waterfront esplanade stretching from Stapleton to the St. George Ferry Terminal. John E. Shea Republican Party John Shea was an NYPD officer who responded to the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center on 9/11 and worked at Ground Zero during the recovery efforts. Later, he served as a firefighter with the FDNY on Staten Island. The North Shore resident and father of three said his leadership would focus on supporting law enforcement, fighting to change bail laws, prioritizing quality education, and easing the financial burdens on families and small businesses. If elected, Shea promises to represent all, “from Rosebank to Mariners Harbor,” regardless of party affiliation. In a meeting with the Advance/SILive.com editorial board, Shea said that he was ready for a new role representing the community he calls home. “The problems of Mariners Harbor are not the same as the problems of Rosebank or West Brighton; it’s our job to go into these communities, [and] ask the question, because we don’t have all the answers,” he said. “I’m ready to step up and meet the needs of the community.” Sarah Blas Working Families Party, New North Shore Party Sarah Blas, who the Advance/SILive.com honored as a 2020 Advance Woman of Achievement, said she would hope to use her experience helping her neighbors to serve the whole North Shore. A mother of six, Blas, 37, is a small business owner and community activist who has launched several initiatives around her New Brighton community. Blas founded an organization called Staten Island Therapeutic Gardens that led clean-up efforts around the area, including at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) Richmond Terrace Houses that she previously called home. When announcing her campaign, Blas stated that her goals included “making sure our schools are fully funded, making sure we actually have lights in front of small businesses, making sure people feel safe when they walk down the streets, making sure they have access to mental health care, making sure small business owners have access to emergency funds.” Race for Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams Democratic Party, Working Families Party Jumaane Williams is the present New York City public advocate, and is looking to keep his seat. According to his campaign website, he “is a first-generation Brooklynite of Grenadian heritage” who started “his career as a community organizer at the Greater Flatbush Beacon School and later served as the executive director of NYS Tenants & Neighbors.” Prior to becoming the public advocate in 2019, Williams represented Brooklyn’s District 45 in the City Council. “As public advocate, Jumaane will continue to be an activist-elected official who brings the voices of everyday New Yorkers to city government and makes New York a truly progressive beacon for all,” the website said. Gonzalo Duran Republican Party, Conservative Party, United Alliance Gonzalo Duran, a Bronx native raised in the Belmont area, is motivated to run for public advocate by the economic challenges facing his neighborhood. “I envision a future where the next generation of Bronxites can afford not only to live, but to thrive, in the community they call home,” he stated on his campaign website. Duran served eight years in the military, attaining the rank of sergeant and completing a tour in Iraq. He graduated from Fordham University with a Bachelor of Science in health science. He worked at both the Bronx Veterans Affairs and the Bronx Labor Department, but became frustrated with what he perceived as their limitations in addressing veterans’ needs. This frustration led him to establish Devil Dog USA Incorporated, where as CEO he focuses on supporting Bronx veterans and the broader community. Martin Dolan Unity Party For Marty Dolan, his campaign revolves around getting “back to business” and “back to basics,” his website detailed. Born in Jersey City, Dolan has spent a lot of his career as a senior banker and a strategy consultant before shifting to politics. He ran for two different New York state congressional districts — the 16th and the 14th districts — before looking for the public advocate’s seat. He wants to “replace” what he calls the “socialist-driven” leaders in the city, who he names as Adams, Lander and Williams. His main issues include, according to his campaign website, “safety, sanitation, schools, and infrastructure. We should stop wasting resources on distractions like international conflicts, campus protests, and risky experiments in criminal law.” Race for City Comptroller Mark Levine Democratic Party For Mark Levine, the issues on the city comptroller’s table should be “solving our housing crisis,” “defending us from [President Donald] Trump’s attacks,” “fixing our broken mental health system,” “improving public safety,” and more, his campaign website said. Once a “bilingual math and science teacher in the South Bronx,” Levine started the Neighborhood Trust Federal Credit Union. He additionally worked in the New York City Council as the chair for the committee on parks and the committee on health, plus as the chair of the Jewish Caucus before transitioning to Manhattan borough president in 2022. “He has launched campaigns to plant a million more trees and deliver millions of dollars of low-interest loans to small businesses, and has pushed the city to improve our mental health system, ensure New Yorkers can travel quickly and safely on our streets, and prepare for climate change.” Peter Kefalas Republican Party, Conservative Party Looking to “fix the holes in NYC fiscal policies,” Peter Kefalas is a small business owner “with decades of experience in business development, sales strategy, and financial consulting,” his campaign website said. He is also an author and a political activist, leading “a grassroots movement against the construction of homeless shelters in Rego Park... He mobilized residents, organized protests, and brought national attention to the lack of transparency in city planning decisions.” He refers to Staten Island as “the forgotten borough in need of fiscal accountability,” and offers plans and perspectives on Staten Island transportation, overdevelopment and environmental concerns, public safety and emergency services, education and school funding disparities, city neglect and the need for fiscal accountability. Ismael Malave-Perez Unity Party Fiscal responsibility, equity and opportunity, and transparency and accountability: These are the topics Ismael Malave Perez is focusing on, his campaign website said. Malave has more than 20 years of public service under his belt, alongside an MBA. He describes himself as “dedicated to enhancing voter rights and access to the ballot box for all New Yorkers, addressing the declining voter turnout in New York City. He plans to collaborate with labor unions, community leaders, and advocacy groups to implement solutions that eliminate voting barriers and increase civic engagement. Leveraging his experience in government, including with five comptrollers, the public advocate, and the Board of Education’s chancellor, Ismael aims to reform the electoral system.” He is looking to create “a city we can all be proud of.” Special Elections Race for New York City Civil Court Richmond County 1st Municipal Court District Matthew Santamauro Democratic Party Matt Santamauro is a Staten Island native with nearly 30 years of legal experience. The longtime attorney graduated from Hofstra University School of Law in 1995 and began his career as an assistant district attorney for the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office. After three years in that role, he briefly worked at a civil defense firm before founding his own practice in 2000, specializing in criminal and injury law. When asked about the biggest issues facing the court system, Santamauro identified the high volume of cases overwhelming courts since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was a “huge issue.” He said the challenge is for judges to handle cases efficiently without sacrificing quality and justice. Remy Smith Republican Party, Conservative Party Remy Smith, a lifelong Staten Islander who resides in Westerleigh, characterized her run as defending fundamental community values during her campaign kickoff speech. “These are simple values: wanting to peacefully go to our house of worship, going to a concert in the neighborhood, taking our kids to a sports practice,” Smith said. “Now in November, we have to choose leaders and lawmakers that will either preserve and fight to preserve those values, or discard them.” Smith currently serves in Staten Island Housing Court and previously worked in Brooklyn Housing Court. Race for New York Supreme Court 13th Judicial District Raymond L. Rodriguez Democratic Party Judge Raymond L. Rodriguez currently serves as the administrative judge for Richmond County, where he oversees both the Criminal and Civil Terms of Staten Island Supreme Court. According to his campaign, he leads the court “with integrity and efficiency.” In addition to his administrative role, Rodriguez serves as an acting justice of the Supreme Court, where he presides over “high stakes criminal and civil trials.” His campaign emphasizes his commitment to “upholding justice from the bench.” Before ascending to the judiciary, Rodriguez worked as an assistant district attorney, where he “tirelessly fought to protect our community and keep Staten Island’s streets safe,” according to his campaign website. The campaign highlights Rodriguez’s judicial background as a central qualification for the Supreme Court position. Matthew P. Blum Republican Party Judge Matthew Blum has secured the Republican nomination for New York State Supreme Court Justice in Richmond County. Blum currently serves as a Civil Court judge in Richmond County, a position he has held since January 2020. His campaign social media describes Blum as having a “distinguished record on the bench” and characterizes him as standing for “fairness, integrity, and a commitment to all New Yorkers.” According to his campaign announcement, Blum has “deep roots in our Staten Island community” and is described as “a strong advocate for the rule of law and access to justice for everyone.” Ballot Proposals Voters will decide on six ballot proposals this election, including one that would allow new ski facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve and five New York City charter amendments aimed at streamlining housing development and modernizing city operations. Proposal Number 1: Amendment to Allow Olympic Sports Complex In Essex County on State Forest Preserve Land. This proposal would amend the state constitution to allow an Olympic sports complex on 1,039 acres of state forest preserve land in Essex County. The amendment would permit skiing and related trail facilities in the Adirondack Park while requiring the state to add 2,500 acres of new forest land to compensate. A “yes” vote authorizes new ski trails and related facilities in the Adirondack forest preserve, while a “no” vote does not authorize this use. Proposal Number 2: Proposed Charter Amendment: Fast Track Affordable Housing to Build More Affordable Housing Across the city. Proposal 2 seeks to fast track publicly financed affordable housing and applications in community districts that produce the least affordable housing, significantly reducing review time while maintaining community board review. A “yes” vote would fast track applications at the Board of Standards and Appeals or City Planning Commission, while a “no” vote leaves affordable housing subject to longer review and final decision at the City Council level. Proposal Number 3: Proposed Charter Amendment: Simplify Review of Modest Housing and Infrastructure Projects. Proposal 3 would simplify review of modest amounts of additional housing and minor infrastructure projects, also significantly reducing review time. The measure aims to maintain community board review with final decisions by the City Planning Commission. A “yes” vote simplifies review for limited land-use changes, including modest housing and minor infrastructure projects, while a “no” vote leaves these changes subject to longer review with final decision by City Council. Proposal Number 4: Proposed Charter Amendment: Establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board with Council, Borough, and Citywide Representation. The fourth proposal would establish an Affordable Housing Appeals Board comprising the Council speaker, local borough president, and mayor to review Council actions that reject or change applications creating affordable housing. A “yes” vote creates the three-member board to reflect Council, borough, and citywide perspectives, while a “no” vote leaves affordable housing subject to the mayor’s veto and final decision by City Council. Proposal Number 5: Proposed Charter Amendment: Create a Digital City Map to Modernize City Operations. Proposal 5 addresses city operations by consolidating borough map offices and address assignment functions to create one digital City Map at the Department of City Planning. Currently, the City Map consists of paper maps across five offices. A “yes” vote creates a consolidated, digital City Map, while a “no” vote leaves in place five separate maps and address assignment functions administered by borough president offices. Proposal Number 6: Proposed Charter Amendment: Move Local Elections to Presidential Election Years to Increase Voter Participation. The final proposal would move the city’s primary and general election dates so that city elections are held in the same year as federal presidential elections, when permitted by state law. A “yes” vote moves city elections to the same year as federal presidential elections when permitted by state law, while a “no” vote leaves current laws unchanged.
