Two would-be Bay Ridge Republican stars are gearing up for this fall’s Council race against incumbent Vince Gentile (D–Bay Ridge).
Neither Bob Capano, an aide to former Rep. Vito Fossella who got whooped in his bid for state Assembly this year, nor John Quaglione, a staffer for state Sen. Marty Golden (R–Bay Ridge), has officially thrown his hat into the race.
But Capano pounced first, sending out a press release this week touting once again his signature issue in his 40-percentage point loss to Assemblyman Alec Brook-Krasny (D–Coney Island): the underused parking lot at the former Key Food at the corner of Third Avenue and 95th Street.
“Speaking to people throughout the community, they realize and see that I have a proven track record and my name is probably out there beyond any other Republican whose name has been mentioned for this seat,” he said.
Despite his Assembly loss, Capano thinks his strong showing in Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights — neighborhoods where he narrowly edged out his Soviet-born rival with 53 percent of the vote — proves that he has what it takes to draw support from across party lines.
But before he can try to court Dems, he’ll have to get past the mighty Quaglione.
“I have been getting very positive feedback about running,” said the affable Golden staffer, known to many as “John Q.” “People know that I have gotten results and have solved their problems and they appreciate that.”
And if Quaglione decides to run, Capano won’t influence him to drop out.
“I would not halt my campaign because he was planning a run for the same position,” said the possible first-time candidate. “I believe in my qualifications to run for the Council seat and if Bob is the opponent, I would be just as confident.”
For his part, Gentile is remaining tight-lipped, ducking behind his spokeswoman when asked for his opinion of his would-be rivals.
But right wing pundits can’t wait for the possible face-off.
“It’s a blessing to have two such qualified individuals looking to run,” said Brooklyn Conservative Party Chairman Jerry Kassar, whose party backed Capano and Joseph Cammarata in their failed Assembly runs last fall.
