Given what happened yesterday, I feel it's important I repost my earlier diary on who are the GOOD Democratic challengers when it comes to FISA.  I'll try to corral all their statements into this diary, so you can see who the "good guys" are.

First, let's start off with the current House and Senate members who voted against this bill.  (For the Senate, I'm only including those who voted against cloture yesterday for the bill.)  They do deserve credit, as it's their jobs on the line.

Follow me below the fold to see the dozens of Democratic challengers who are standing up for the Constitution, and are against this FISA bill and retroactive immunity.

Last night at midnight was the filing deadline for the second quarter. Our campaign did very well, receiving an average online donation of $40. But then we noticed something this morning - - My opponent's average online donation was $700.

Many Democrats in the 13th, myself included, have been bowled over by the force of the local conventional wisdom. Even here at Kos, the CW is that Democratic councilman Mike McMahon will enable the flip of the 13th seat that Dems have fought for so long here on Staten Island.  My wife and I were beginning to buy into that, entertaining thoughts like: "Shameful what they did to Steve Harrison!  He doesn't stand a chance now - when will he drop out"?

In the last couple days, there have been several posts across the blogosphere citing what various candidates running for Congress have said on FISA and retroactive immunity for the telecoms.  But so far, it's been all over the map.  I'll try to corral all their statements into this diary, so you can see who the "good guys" are.

First, let's start off with the current House and Senate members who voted against this bill.  They do deserve credit, as it's their jobs on the line.

Follow me below the fold to see the dozens of Democratic challengers who are standing up for the Constitution, and are against this FISA bill and retroactive immunity.

The NY-13 Conrgessional Race keeps getting stranger and stranger. As of right now there are 2 Democrats, Steve Harrison and Mike McMahon (Mike McMahon is an apparent DINO who is also being considered by the Conservative Party because he convinced them he supported Bush's War) one Libertarian, and no Republican. The NY-13 district is proving to be the unlucky 13th for the Republicans.

Update at end with some speculation.

Yesterday was the first day of the petition season to get my name on the ballot for NY-13 and our dozens of volunteers, all determined to Get America Working Again, knocked on hundreds of doors and spoke to their neighbors and friends about our message of hope and determination.

Not much detail yet, but Staten Island's DCC has voted Councilman McMahon the Democratic nominee for Vito Fossella's seat.

After digging in his heels over the past few weeks, scandal-plagued Republican Rep. Vito Fossella has decided not to seek reelection.

From the New York Times:

After more than two weeks of damaging and scandal-filled headlines, Representative Vito J. Fossella of Staten Island has decided not to seek another term in Congress, according to several people close to him.

From Fossella's statement:

"Despite the personal mistakes I have made, I am touched by the outpouring of support and encouragement I have received from so many people. Their kind words and prayers during this difficult time mean more to me than I can express. And while many have urged me to run for re-election, I believe this course of action is best for my family and our community."

In Fossella's absence, Staten Island District Attorney Daniel Donovan is the likely Republican choice for the race. Apparently John Boehner himself has courted Donovan for the race. Another Republican possibility is State Senator Andrew Lanza.

Swing State Project reports that the Democratic frontrunner in the race, Brooklyn-based City Councilman Domenic Recchia, is likely to bow out of the race. Recchia would be an underdog despite his impressive fundraising, as the bulk of the district is based in Staten Island, and not Brooklyn.

With Recchia out, the lone Democrat in the race is attorney and 2006 candidate Steve Harrison. He is likely to be joined by a high-profile Staten Island Democrat; most of the talk has revolved around State Senator Diane Savino, New York Assemblyman Michael Cusick, and New York City Councilman Mike McMahon.

All of those three are Staten Islanders, and it's likely, as Jonah from the excellent NY13 blog says, that the state and national parties will coalesce around one of them to avoid splitting the Staten Island vote.

Race tracker wiki: NY-13

I am as thrilled as anyone with the recent pickups by Democrats in solidly red districts. Winning MS-01 was really sweet. And it shows how Bush really has been the death the Republican Party. But I am also worried. There are two aspects of these recent wins that worry me (we should have more such worries!).

1.) The lie that the media used to spin the 2006 tidal wave of Democratic victories, that the new Dems are all conservatives who are more like Repubs, just may start to happen; and 2.) can we defend all these seats in red territory even as we have to win the Senate and the Presidency. Are we becoming overextended and over compromised? I don't think so, but I think the dangers should be considered.

Well, this is interesting.  According to the NY Post, Vito Fossella was taken aback by calls for his resignation (but, keep in mind, it is the Post, a Rupert Murdock paper).

WNBC has the scoop

Fossella should resign by Monday, which means Gov. Paterson should call a special election.

Many are following developments in the NY-13 Congressional district, the only district in NYC represented by a Republican. That Republican, Vito Fossella, is your typical high and mighty "family values" screaming Bush Republican. This week he was first arrested for drunk driving, then it was revealed that he had an affair, fathering a child with a woman other than his wife and ruining that woman's marriage.

This has been covered on dKos today in several diaries. I just want to add the statement made by Fossella's main Democratic opponent, Steve Harrison, regarding these developments. Steve's statement below.

Embattled New York Congressman Vito Fossella (R)'s political career has gone up in smoke in just one short week.

It was bad enough when Fossella, the last remaining Republican Congressman from New York City, was arrested last week for DWI. "Vino" Fossella, as the New York Daily News has seen fit to dub him, blew a .17 into the Breathalyzer, twice the legal limit, and apparently had some trouble with his ABC's:

Mr. Fossella, who was driving a white Honda Civic, was stopped about 12:10 a.m. on Thursday, and told a police officer he had had two or three glasses of wine about two hours earlier. Mr. Fossella was asked to recite the alphabet between the letters D and T. “The subject immediately started and said ‘A, B,’ ” the officer wrote in his report.

After the officer explained the test again, Mr. Fossella started: “D, E, F, H, G, H, I, J, L,” and then was able to finish.

If found guilty of drunk driving, he faces a mandatory five days in jail, at the minimum. Frankly, that is now the least of his problems. Seems that the good Congressman, married with three kids, has a daughter from an extramarital affair. The mother of his daughter, Laura Fay, was the woman who provided bail for Fossella after his arrest, after Fossella had told the arresting officer that he was "picking up his daughter", and listed the street where Fay lived as his destination. After several days, Fossella has now publicly admitted the affair and his paternity:

“I have had a relationship with Laura Fay, with whom I have a three year old daughter," Fossella said in a statement.

"My personal failings and imperfections have caused enormous pain to the people I love and I am truly sorry.

"While I understand that there will be many questions, including those about my political future, making any political decisions right now are furthest from my mind".

It is pretty clear, however, that Fossella's career is in serious trouble. Already facing a significant Democratic challenge from New York City Councilman Domenic Recchia and attorney Steve Harrison, Fossella is now extremely unlikely to run for reelection. From the Washington Post:

GOP political insiders say Fossella, whose blood-alcohol content was more than twice the legal limit when he was busted at 12:15 a.m. last Thursday, stands little chance of running for reelection at this point, and their Democratic counterparts agree. Buzz on the Hill and around town Wednesday was that Fossella would be announcing sooner rather than later that he won't seek another term in what has quickly become a hotly contested seat for embattled Republicans. Fossella was not voting in the House Wednesday.

The local press agrees:

But one of the state's top Republicans told The Post, "He's not going to be able to win re-election if he is the father."

Sources said party officials have privately discussed who could best hold onto the seat for the GOP should Fossella end up in deeper trouble.

Names being bandied about include Staten Island DA Daniel Donovan and city Councilman James Oddo.

In a slightly Democratic-leaning district (D+0.8), this is yet another potential open-seat nightmare for Fossella's party. After his admission, the biggest question remaining is whether Fossella will finish out his term.

If he does resign before July 1st, New York Governor David Paterson could call a special election in which the state parties would be responsible for picking the candidates, which could lead to all manner of backroom deals brokered behind closed doors. In particular, it's possible that one faction of the state Democratic Party could lobby for a candidate from Staten Island, Fossella's home and the population center of the district. That could leave Recchia and Harrison, the current declared candidates, out in the cold.

But that's all speculation. For now, we know that Fossella is in unimaginable trouble, his political career is sunk, and we have another top-tier race for November.

Race tracker wiki: NY-13

Republican Vito Fossella, who has accomplished little in the congress while remaining a steadfast Bush supporter, is, sadly, struggling with some personal demons right now-- notably his recent DWI arrest and disclosure that he has fathered a child with a mistress.

It's time to put a Democrat in his seat.  New Yorkers, I give you Steve Harrison...

Democracy for NYC recently held a forum and endorsement vote in the Democratic Primary in NYC's 13th Congressional district, currently represented by incumbent Republican Vito Fossella.  Steve Harrison has won our endorsement with an unprecedented 100% of the vote!

Yep! One hundred per cent of the vote.
The reason may be that the only other declared Dem for this seat managed not only to avoid the DFNYC candidate forum but also missed  two other public meeting with Steve this year.
I'll tell you more about the race below:

Republican Congressman Vito "Vino" Fossella is really not looking too good right now. His conduct the night of his drunk driving arrest is something he is going to have a hard time living down. Sordid details (minus a possible affair in the background) below.

Sorry for the short diary, but there isn't much to say about it. Congressman  Vito Fossella was arrested for Drunk Driving. Details below.

Hat tip to my fellow Daily Gotham writer, Bouldin:

Recently Dick Cheney came to NYC to raise money for Congressman Vito Fossella (NY-13), the only Republican Congressman in NYC. In response I am hosting a fundraiser for Vito Fossella's main opponent, Steve Harrison. Steve is also a friend of mine. Obviously I can't beat Dick Cheney in fundraising, but I can do my part and maybe you can help. Details below. If you want to donate but can't come and meet Steve, you can donate through my NY State Act Blue site.