The leader of Staten Island’s powerful Republican Party abruptly announced his resignation today – a surprise move that could hurt the GOP’s chances to win the mayoralty, sources said.
GOP chairman Bob Scamardella cited disagreements with some of the borough’s Republican elected officials – particularly Councilman James Oddo – as reason for his decision to step down.
“My resignation occurs because I have been hamstrung in my ability to function and I want to put an end to recent public displays of party discord,” Scamardella said in a letter to GOP County Committee members.
“I became chairman to insure that volunteers would thrive in an environment where discord is minimized. There, of course, would be some disagreement but Republicans could expect party leaders to do whatever is necessary to end damaging displays of disunity.”
A protege of Staten Island power broker Guy Molinari, Scamardella referred to a “dispute” with an unnamed elected, but it clearly was Oddo. The two have feuded over the borough’s GOP appointment to the city Board of Elections.
“”I have been shut out of the selection process. This places me in a position where I cannot do the job effectively,” Scamardella said.
“To end it, I tried to arrange a private meeting. All to no avail,” he added.
Staten Island is the only borough where there is a Republican congressman and district attorney. And a GOP candidate for mayor would need a strong vote from Richmond County for any chance to capture City Hall – as Rudy Giuiliani and Mike Bloomberg did in the last five elections.
GOP candidates vying for the nomination include former MTA chairman Joe Lhota, billionaire supermarket mogul John Catsimatidis, Doe founder George McDonald and Manhattan publisher Tom Allon.
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SI's GOP chief calls it quits
