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Political Experts Eyeing Possibilities In Special Election For Staten Island Congressional Seat

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Political observers are keeping a close eye on the eventual special election brewing for Staten Island's congressional seat.

Staten Island District Attorney Dan Donovan is all but locked in his place on the Republican and Conservative party lines as any would-be competitors have stepped aside, WCBS 880's Jim Smith reported.

Political Experts Eyeing Possibilities In Special Election For Staten Island Congressional Seat

Now, Baruch College Public Affairs Professor Doug Muzzio says "The key is, is there a democratic opponent of any stature to challenge him?"

Muzzio says it's unlikely Domenic Recchia would be given a second chance since he failed to beat an indicted Michael Grimm.

"The lesson's gotta be for the democrats that you don't select somebody from Brooklyn to represent an overwhelmingly Staten Island district," he said.

Grimm announced his resignation last month following a guilty plea on tax evasion charges.

Grimm pleaded guilty in late December to a federal tax evasion charge in U.S. District Court in Brooklyn. The case stemmed from an investigation of his campaign financing.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo will decide when to call for the special election. Muzzio says it's hard to predict exactly when that could be.

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