Vincent Marchiselli

Vincent A. Marchiselli is a former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly from the Bronx, New York. Before getting involved in politics, Marchiselli was president of his own funeral home, Marchiselli Funeral Homes, in the Bronx.[1] Marchiselli first ran for office in 1970, but lost the Democratic primary for Assembly in the 86th district to incumbent Anthony J. Stella.[2] In 1974, Marchiselli was elected to the Assembly, defeating Republican Victor B. Tosi in a competitive race. Marchiselli was re-elected to four terms. Marchiselli was affiliated with the "reform wing" of Bronx Democrats, who included then-Assemblymen Oliver Koppell and Eliot L. Engel.[3] The "reform" Democrats in the Bronx often clashed with the "regular" Democrats who strongly supported the powerful Bronx Democratic County political machine and its chairmen such as Charles A. Buckley, Patrick Cunningham and Stanley M. Friedman. Although liberal on most issues, Marchiselli, a devout Catholic, was pro-life on abortion and supported tax credits for parents who send their children to private schools.[4]

In 1984, after his district's boundaries were redrawn, Marchiselli was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary for the 82nd Assembly district by Larry Seabrook.[5] Marchiselli attempted to regain his seat in 1986, but was once again defeated by Seabrook in the primary.[6]

In 1988, Marchiselli ran for Congress, seeking the seat held by Mario Biaggi, who was convicted on corruption charges. Marchiselli finished a distant second in the primary behind Assemblyman Eliot L. Engel.[7] (Biaggi, who remained on the ballot, narrowly finished third despite not waging an active campaign.)

In 1989, Marchiselli crossed party lines and backed Republican Rudy Giuliani in the race for mayor. Four years later, Marchiselli once again backed Giuliani and was a prominent member of "Democrats for Giuliani."[8]

When he was three years old, Marchiselli was stricken with polio and has used a wheelchair since then.[9]

References

  1. ^ New York Red Book, Volume 87, 1984, p. 255
  2. ^ Our Campaigns: 86th Assembly Democratic primary, 1970.
  3. ^ Village Voice, June 19, 1978, in PDF through Google Books.
  4. ^ New York Times, September 13, 1988, "Biaggi Is Still a Force in Bronx Race"
  5. ^ Norwood News, Aug. 24-Sep. 6, 2000, "With Dem Machine's Backing, Seabrook Aims for Congress" at Bronxmall.com
  6. ^ Our Campaigns: 82nd Assembly Democratic Primary, 1986
  7. ^ New York Times, September 17, 1988, "Primary Election Results"
  8. ^ New York Times, June 30, 1998, "Giuliani Criticized on Charter Plans"
  9. ^ New York Times, June 17, 1981, "Legislators Find What It Is Like To Be Disabled"

External links

New York Assembly
Preceded by
Anthony Stella		 New York State Assembly, 86th District
1975–1982		 Succeeded by
Richard Brodsky
Preceded by
Sean Walsh		 New York State Assembly, 82nd District
1983–1984		 Succeeded by
Larry Seabrook