By CHUCK BENNETT
May 9, 2008
Vito Fossella said yesterday that politics are the last thing on his mind, but the rest of Staten Island is abuzz over the fate of his prized congressional seat.
"They think Vito should step down," said one state Republican operative. "[Staten Island District Attorney] Dan Donovan is probably the best guy to run and hold onto the seat."
Other Staten Island GOPers whose names are being floated Councilman Vincent Ignizio and state Sen. Andrew Lanza.
Officials denied it, but sources said national GOPers are poll-testing candidates' strength.
In 2006, Fossella beat Democratic challenger Stephen Harrison, 57 percent to 43 percent. Harrison is running again, and Fossella's fund-raising lags behind another likely Democratic rival, Brooklyn Councilman Domenic Recchia.
