Rep. Vito Fossella (R-N.Y.) is expected to announce this week that he will not seek reelection, according to two sources.
The announcement could come as early as Tuesday but is expected before Congress adjourns for its Memorial Day recess at the end of this week.
It is unclear if Fossella will finish out his term or opt to resign before the end of the 110th Congress. One source said he will complete his sixth term.
As nrafter530 writes in the diaries, expect a full-court press to ensue for a Staten Island-based pol like state Sen. Diane Savino, Assemblyman Mike Cusick, or NYC Councilman Mike McMahon to run for the Democrats in this D+0.8 district.
UPDATE II (James): It's official -- Fossella will retire at the end of his term. The Politico has Fossella's statement.
UPDATE III: Elizabeth Benjamin picks up buzz that Councilman Domenic Recchia (D-Coney Island) will drop out of the race:
On the Democratic side, a source confirms the rumor that Councilman Domenic Recchia is NOT expected to follow through with his nascent bid for Fossella's seat, despite the fact that he is sitting on some $325,000.
Recchia is apparently friendly with Savino and McMahon, so this could be a sign that one of these candidates is planning a bid.
