Despite the fact that Staten Island's 24th Senate District has about 75,000 registered Democrats and 67,000 registered Republicans, a Republican has held the seat for over 50 years.
Republican incumbent www.lanzaforsenate.com Andrew Lanza, first elected to the seat in 2006, is running for re-election in the district. Two years ago, Lanza replaced John Marchi, another Republican, who had held the seat since 1957. Lanza won 60 percent of the vote in the 2006 election against his Democratic opponent.
This year, Lanza faces Democratic candidate Joseph J. Pancila. Pancila is active in the Democratic Party and a member of Staten Island Community Board 1.
Campaign contributions in this district are not as evenly distributed as registered voter totals. During the period leading up to the 32 Day Pre-General filing, Lanza took in $77,705 Lanza reporting a total on hand of $164,035. Pancila received $5,440 reports having $1,000 and has $2,144 on hand.