GOP-Endorsed Candidate For Fossella Seat Dies

MTA board member/retired Wall Street exec Frank Powers (R), who was running for retiring Rep. Vito Fossella’s (R-NY 13) seat, has died, according to the Staten Island Advance. He was 67.

Powers Powers’ son, Brian, read the following statement: "Our dad, Frank Powers, passed away early this morning. As you can imagine, this is a very difficult time for our family. We would appreciate privacy at this time as we make the necessary arrangements. We shall have more information when the final arrangements have been made. We thank you for your kindness and cooperation and ask you to keep our dad and our family in your prayers."

In late-May, Powers was surprisingly endorsed for the seat by the Staten Island GOP after several other high-profile candidates announced they wouldn’t run for the seat. Powers was well-known to insiders as a financier of candidates, but to the party at-large, his selection was a complete surprise.

Physician Jamshad Wyne (R) is now the lone GOPer in the race, while Dems will see a contest between NYC Councilor Mike McMahon (D), the party endorsed candidate, and ’06 nominee Stephen Harrison (D).

(TIM SAHD)