Vito Fossella

Switching parties

Fossella changed his political affiliation from Democrat to Republican in 1990, a break with his family's Democratic tradition that set the stage for his career in a Republican-leaning borough 1.

Elected to the City Council

Fossella entered elected office by winning a special election on April 26, 1994, for a vacant Staten Island seat on the New York City Council, defeating Democrat Jerome O'Donovan with about 58 percent of the vote amid low turnout 2. He represented the 51st Council District 3.

On the Council, he focused on land use, education, and the environment. His most consequential work included authoring legislation that led to the agreement to permanently close the Fresh Kills Landfill, a major Staten Island quality-of-life issue, conceiving the South Richmond Rezoning Study, and helping secure funding for new public schools on the Island 4.

Elected to Congress

When Representative Susan Molinari resigned her Staten Island congressional seat, Fossella won the special election held to fill the vacancy. His official service began on November 4, 1997, the date of the special election, and he was sworn in the following day 3. He succeeded Molinari in representing New York's 13th Congressional District, covering Staten Island and a portion of Brooklyn.

Fossella was re-elected to five successive Congresses, serving six terms in total through January 3, 2009 [5]. Throughout this period, he held the distinction of being the only Republican member of Congress from New York City [3].

His congressional career coincided with major national events, including the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the subsequent wars in Afghanistan and Iraq 6. His legislative work and committee service emphasized homeland security, transportation, and funding for Staten Island-area projects; he cosponsored the SAFE Port Act and pursued initiatives, including repairs to a Brooklyn subway station in his district 3,7. He compiled what supporters described as one of the most conservative voting records in the New York delegation 7. He faced a competitive re-election in 2006 as Democrats targeted his seat 8.

The scandal and the decision not to seek re-election

Fossella's congressional career ended abruptly in 2008. On May 1, 2008, he was arrested for driving under the influence in Alexandria, Virginia, after running a red light 9. The arrest led, over the following days, to the public revelation that he had fathered a child during an extramarital relationship with Laura Fay, a retired Air Force officer, and had maintained a second household in Virginia 10.

On May 20, 2008, Fossella announced he would not seek re-election, while serving out the remainder of his term 11. He was later convicted of the DUI charge in October 2008 and sentenced in December 2008 to five days in jail 9. The full details of the scandal are covered in the controversies section of this series. His term ended on January 3, 2009, and he was succeeded by Democrat Michael McMahon, leaving New York City without a Republican House member 3.

Years out of office

After leaving Congress, Fossella returned to private life and the private sector, working in business and consulting 6. He maintained a low public profile and stayed connected to Staten Island Republican circles and civic organizations, but did not hold or seek elected office for more than a decade 6.

The comeback campaign

In March 2021, Fossella announced his candidacy for Staten Island Borough President, entering the Republican primary to succeed term-limited incumbent James Oddo 12. He faced a competitive primary field that included City Council Member Steven Matteo, who had the backing of the borough's Republican organization and police unions, and former Staten Island GOP chair Leticia Remauro 13.

A late endorsement from former President Donald Trump on June 19, 2021, boosted Fossella's campaign 14. He won the June 22 ranked-choice primary, edging Matteo by a narrow margin in the final round 15. In the November 2, 2021 general election, he defeated Democrat Mark Murphy and others to win the borough presidency, completing a comeback more than a decade after the scandal 16. He took office on January 1, 2022, succeeding Oddo as the 16th Staten Island Borough President 3.

As Borough President, Fossella has used the office, which is largely advisory and ceremonial, to advocate for Staten Island's interests. His tenure has been defined by:

Vocal, sustained opposition to Manhattan congestion pricing, which he argued would harm Staten Island commuters and lower-income North Shore residents 17.

Opposition to the city's placement of migrants on Staten Island during the 2022 to 2024 migrant-housing crisis 18.

Advocacy on education, parks, first responders, and veterans, themes he has emphasized in his annual State of the Borough addresses 18.

A legal and civic fight over the St. John Villa site, which his office framed as a victory for the borough 19.

Re-election

Fossella ran for re-election in 2025 and won a second term, defeating Democrat Michael Colombo in the November 4, 2025, general election 20. All four other incumbent borough presidents who sought re-election also won, and Fossella's victory maintained the Republican hold on the Staten Island office that the party has kept for four decades 21. His current term runs through January 1, 2030 11.

New York City Council, 51st District: April 27, 1994 to November 4, 1997.

U.S. House of Representatives, NY-13: November 4, 1997 to January 3, 2009 (six terms).

Out of elected office: 2009 to 2021.

Staten Island Borough President: January 1, 2022 to present (elected 2021; re-elected 2025).