2013 Voter Guide

Candidates for Staten Island Borough President

Candidate
* If there is an asterisk next to a candidate's name, s/he did not submit a profile or record a video.
James S. Oddo
Republican, Conservative, Independence

Party Enrolled In: Republican

Current Occupation: City Council Minority Leader

Previous Occupation(s): Chief-of-Staff to former Council Member John Fusco; Counsel to former Minority Leader Thomas V. Ognibene

Education: New York Law School, JD; Fordham University, BA

Organizational Affiliations: Member of the Regulatory Review Panel. Former Chair of the City Council's Task Force on Operations and Improvement of the Department of Buildings. Former member of the NYS Fire Prevention and Building Code Council

Prior Public Experience: Elected to City Council in 1999. Elected Minority Leader in 2002.

1. What is the most important issue in Staten Island you would address if elected?

In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated many communities on Staten Island. Lives were lost and homes were destroyed. There are many tough decisions that government, working with the affected communities, will have to make. These decisions will profoundly impact Staten Island for years to come. The most important issue I would address is the aftermath of Sandy, including questions regarding the rebuilding process and preparedness for future storms.

 

2. What other important issues would you address if elected?

Too many to name. As I indicated in my speech announcing my candidacy, I am preparing 100 specific proposals that I would work on if elected. These include the need for senior housing, solutions to improve our transportation system, economic development ideas to bring greater growth to our borough, and many others. Finally, tolls are an important issue that I will work with the new Mayor and the Governor to address.

 

3. What makes you the best candidate for this office?

I have dedicated my life to serving in city government. It is what I live and breathe, and I have effectively served my constituents. We have had many victories during my years in the City Council, and I will bring the same energy, passion, and experience to my service for the entire borough. Ultimately, my vision of Borough Hall is one where it is used as an "instrument of good" to improve the lives of Staten Islanders on a daily basis. That is what I intend to do.

 

Reprinted as supplied by the candidate. Participating in the Campaign Finance Program.

 

This Guide lists all candidates who appear to be on the ballot for the primary election based on the latest information obtained from the New York City Board of Elections, even if a candidate did not submit a profile or record a video for the Guide. Profiles and video scripts were submitted to the CFB by the candidates and are reprinted as supplied, except in the case of egregious errors and minor formatting issues, which may be corrected by the CFB. Videos appearing in this Guide were recorded and approved for broadcast by the candidates. All the candidates have affirmed under penalty of perjury that the information in their profiles and videos is true to the best of their knowledge. Website and social media links were supplied by the candidates. The CFB is not responsible for non-working links, although it does correct or remove them to the extent practicable. The CFB removes links that are not campaign-related.

The views expressed in the candidate profiles, videos, and linked materials do not represent those of the New York City Campaign Finance Board.

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Party Key
  • C = Conservative
  • D = Democratic
  • G = Green
  • I = Independence
  • LBT = Libertarian
  • R = Republican
  • WF = Working Families