Vincent Marchiselli
Encyclopedia
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. Marchiselli first ran for office in 1970, but lost the Democratic primary for Assembly in the 86th district to incumbent Anthony J. Stella. 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
. 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.
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
. Marchiselli attempted to regain his seat in 1986, but was once again defeated by Seabrook in the primary.
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. (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."
When he was three years old, Marchiselli was stricken with polio and has used a wheelchair since then.
Before getting involved in politics, Marchiselli was president of his own funeral home, Marchiselli Funeral Homes, in the Bronx. Marchiselli first ran for office in 1970, but lost the Democratic primary for Assembly in the 86th district to incumbent Anthony J. Stella. In 1974, Marchiselli was elected to the Assembly, defeating Republican Victor B. Tosi
Victor B. Tosi
Victor B. Tosi is a long-time member of the Bronx Republican Party. Tosi ran for office five times, including for Bronx Borough President, and briefly served as the chairman of the Bronx Republican Party from 2004 to 2005. He has also worked for Republicans such as State Senators John D...
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
Eliot L. Engel
Eliot Lance Engel is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1993. He is a member of the Democratic Party. He previously represented the 19th District from 1989 to 1993...
. 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
Charles A. Buckley
Charles Anthony Buckley was a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives from New York....
, 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.
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
Larry Seabrook
Larry B. Seabrook is the current New York City Council man from District 12 in New York City which covers the Co-op City, Williamsbridge, Wakefield, Edenwald, Baychester, and Eastchester sections of the Northeast Bronx...
. Marchiselli attempted to regain his seat in 1986, but was once again defeated by Seabrook in the primary.
In 1988, Marchiselli ran for Congress, seeking the seat held by Mario Biaggi
Mario Biaggi
Mario Biaggi is a former U.S. Representative from New York and former New York City police officer. He was elected as a Democrat from The Bronx in New York City...
, who was convicted on corruption charges. Marchiselli finished a distant second in the primary behind Assemblyman Eliot L. Engel. (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
Rudy Giuliani
Rudolph William Louis "Rudy" Giuliani KBE is an American lawyer, businessman, and politician from New York. He served as Mayor of New York City from 1994 to 2001....
in the race for mayor. Four years later, Marchiselli once again backed Giuliani and was a prominent member of "Democrats for Giuliani."
When he was three years old, Marchiselli was stricken with polio and has used a wheelchair since then.