IndiaPost.com - Rajiv Gowda withdraws from Assembly race

NEW YORK: Rajiv Gowda, President of Community Education Council, District 31, Staten Island has withdrawn his candidacy for the 61st Assembly District seat in North Shore, Staten Island. Announcing his withdrawal from the race, Gowda said, "Due to the complexity of the special election for the 61st Assembly Seat in North Shore Staten Island and time constraint to get the campaign rolling for the election date of March 27.

I have decided to support the County Democratic Party nominee Matthew Titone (former 2006 NYS senate candidate)." Gowda added that since the special election has no primary, going alone without the party backing was an uphill battle.

"It was a difficult decision but after consulting my advisors and friends felt, it is important to be a team player and stand united with the party to make sure the seat remains with a Democrat," he said. Thanking the community for their outstanding support and good wishes in his quest for the public office, Gowda said, "I am out of this race but not out of the public eye and I am preparing for the NYC 2009 Citywide Elections and will announce my candidacy in the fall of 2007." A special election was set for March 27 by New York Governor Elliot Spitzer to fill in the vacancy that came about following Assembly Member John Lavelle's demise on January 24, after suffering a stroke. With his experience, knowledge and political savvy, and more importantly his understanding of the Staten Island needs, Gowda had hoped to serve the district.

Gowda, a democrat, labor leader and community activist, who is well tuned with the needs of Staten Island, had hoped to serve the district by filling in that vacancy.