Earlier versions of this story incorrectly called the Staten Island newspaper the Advocate. It is the Staten Island Advance. This version has been corrected.
By Paul Kane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Rep. Vito J. Fossella (R-N.Y.) will not seek reelection in November after admitting to an extramarital affair with a former Air Force official, which came after a drunken-driving arrest in Alexandria three weeks ago, Republican Party sources said.
Fossella is not resigning immediately, saving House Republicans from having to defend another seat in what would have been an expensive special election had he left Congress altogether. The party has lost three seats through such elections since March.
The Staten Island Advance, Fossella's hometown newspaper, reported last night that he is to release a letter to constituents today.
"I have made the decision not to seek re-election to the United States House of Representatives this November. This choice was an extremely difficult one, balanced between my dedication to service to our great nation and the need to concentrate on healing the wounds that I have caused to my wife and family," Fossella wrote, according to the paper.
Fossella, 43, is married and has three children living in Staten Island. He also has a 3-year-old daughter with Laura Fay, the former Air Force official.
Fossella was already expecting a tougher than usual reelection campaign before the arrest, and GOP leaders, including House Minority Leader John A. Boehner (Ohio), had encouraged him not to run again.
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