In unofficial results provided by the New York City Board of Elections, 49th Assembly District incumbent Republican State Committeewoman (District Leader) Lucretia Regina-Potter and her newcomer running mate Michael Bennette have won the hotly contested leadership election in the 49th Assembly District.

In spite of the fierce opposition by the County Organization that had to go to the Appellate Division of the State Supreme court to have their candidate reinstated after their removal from the ballot for insufficient signatures, Lucretia and Michael were able to withstand vicious attacks through hateful and despicable literature mailed all over the district, and malicious telephone calls.

Asked about what she thought was the reason for their victory, Lucretia Regina-Potter replied, “Their obnoxious literature back fired on them. Republican voters in the 49 AD are smarter than our opponents thought. To mention only one of the ridiculous statements in the hateful literature it will suffice to say that it claimed that Michael Bennette and I “praised the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln as a “lawful, patriotic act.” You tell me if such a statement would have been acceptable by the voter. Obviously, it was not and probably people did not read anything behind that point.

What Michael and I want to do is to rebuild our beleaguered Republican Party and to bring it back to the times when it was possible to elect Republican public officials and everyone worked united towards such objective.”

Congratulations Lucretia and Michael!

August 6, 2011

Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization, Brooklyn, N.Y.

STEPHEN MARESCA ENDORSES LAGUARDIA REPUBLICAN CLUB LEADERSHIP

From left to right: Former Assemblyman and Chairman Arnaldo A. Ferraro, Lucretia Regina-Potter, 49AD Female Republican District Leader, former candidate for Male District Leader, Stephen Maresca, and Michael Bennette, candidate for Male Republican District Leader 49AD.

In the continuing saga of the hotly contested 49^th A.D. leadership fight, Stephen Maresca, one of the candidates for Male State Committeeman (District Leader) who was removed by the Board of Election for insufficient signatures, recently endorsed Lucretia Regina-Potter, the incumbent Female State Committeewoman and newcomer Michael Bennette who is running for Male State Committeeman (District Leader).

In a dramatic twist to what seems to be the most important item on the agenda of the Kings County Republican Party’s Chairman Craig Eaton, his replacement candidate for Male District Leader in the 49^th AD, Matthew Graves, was removed by a judge who ruled that the County’s petition was invalid. Graves had received the designation to run after the original candidate of the County, Marc D’Ottavio, declined the designation. This ruling was the result of court proceedings initiated by another candidate, Peter Cipriano, who also had been removed by the Board of Elections because he did not have the sufficient number of required valid signatures.

At the time of this release, it is not clear whether the judge’s decision also includes the County’s on again-off again candidate for Female District Leader ,whose name appears in the same petition that were invalidated by the judge. If this is the case, the Brooklyn Republican Party miserably failed in its intent to destroy the Republican Leadership of the 49^th Assembly District. Under the directions of Club executive Chairman Arnaldo Ferraro, a former and the last Republican Assemblyman of the 49^th AD, the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization has been able to withstand the continuous attacks of the County leadership.

The following is a copy of Stephen Maresca’s Letter of Endorsement:

Stephen Maresca

7819 14^th Avenue

Brooklyn, N.Y. 11228

August 6, 2011

Dear Friends and Supporters:

My sincerest gratitude is extended to all of you, particularly those who signed my nominating petitions for your support in my recent bid for Republican District Leader of the 49^th Assembly District. It is greatly appreciated, especially since there were four competing groups circulating petitions. Unfortunately, as the result of a recent ruling by the Commissioners of the New York City Board of Elections, my name will not appear on the ballot in this September’s primary election. However, this in no way diminishes my desire for a strong and united Republican party, not only here in the vitally important 49^th Assembly District, but throughout Brooklyn. In the important election that will take place for the 49^th AD Republican District Leaders this September 13, I strongly urge all Republicans in the 49^th Assembly District, particularly those who have supported my candidacy, to re-elect Lucretia Regina-Potter, as Female District Leader (State Committeewoman) and to also elect her running mate, Michael Bennette, as Male District Leader (State Committeeman).

The success of Lucretia’s dynamic leadership has been amply demonstrated over the past five years. Election tallies show that the 49^th AD, under Lucretia’s leadership, has not only maintained but also strengthened its position as the most Republican voting Assembly District in Kings County. Michael Bennette will be a superb addition to the Leadership team of the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization, where in the past; I have proudly served as Chairman of its Board of Governors.

The recent achievement of the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization, founded by former Assemblyman Arnaldo A. Ferraro, collecting over 1,000 Republican signatures on its nominating petitions this year, is another example of the positive energy and passion it brings to the political process in our community.

At this critical time for the future of the Republican Party in Brooklyn, we need the leadership of Lucretia Regina-Potter and Michael Bennette here in the 49^th Assembly District. Their reasoned, thoughtful , and unifying approach to political organization are a much needed contrast to the autocratic, deceitful, divisive and vengeful practices that have been consistently exhibited by the Kings County Republican Party. Between now and September 13, 2011, I will be doing all that I am able to help re-elect Lucretia and elect Michael to the posts of Republican District Leaders in the 49^th Assembly District. I strongly urge all of you to join me in that effort.

Sincerely,

Stephen Maresca

Michael Bennette with his wife Ermine, daughters Michele and Laura, and future son-in-law, Salvatore.

At a recent meeting of the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization, Michael Bennette, President of the Organization, announced his candidacy for Republican State Committeeman (District Leader) of the 49 Assembly District.

The self-styled Reagan Republican is a staunch opponent of  “Obamacare” and all other changes sponsored by the Obama administration. “It will erode the very fabric of our country which was envisioned by our forefathers as a capitalist country that encourages enterprise and entrepreneurship. I am opposed to big government and innumerable entitlements that continue to increase our national debt and damage our economy.”

On a local approach, Michael Bennette pointed out that he believes that the major “political” function of the Republican District Leaders is to elect more Republican members to the New York State Assembly. Mr. Bennette states that this task is already difficult to accomplish in Brooklyn because of the preponderance of Democratic registered voters over Republican registered voters. He also states that it has become even more difficult lately because of two additional reasons: 1.The lack of unity in the Brooklyn Republican Party, and 2. The complacency on the part of some Leaders and other Republican operatives to cooperate with the Democratic elected officials, thus ensuring their re-election and their perpetuation in office.

“The last time I can recollect that there was unity in the Party and a strong challenging determination from Republican leaders was obviously in 1984. In that year, not only were the Republicans able to elect a Republican Assemblyman in Brooklyn, but they were also able to defeat an incumbent Democrat with the help and support of the Conservative and Right-to-Life Parties. I strongly urge all Republicans in Brooklyn to set aside their difference of opinions and even personal interests, to better accomplish a long overdue development of a stronger Republican Party. I am also deeply honored to run as the candidate for Republican State Committeeman in the 49 Assembly District, and extremely pleased to run for such an important Party Office with the current, official and dynamic 49 AD Republican  State Committeewoman Lucretia Regina-Potter.”

As parents and strong advocates of traditional family values, Lucretia Regina-Potter and Michael Bennette understand and know very well the responsibilities and sacrifices of raising children and providing for their needs. Another difference between them and the four opponents running against them is that Lucretia Regina-Potter and Michael Bennette are not products of the Brooklyn political establishment, nor are they indebted to party bosses. Their allegiance is only to the community that they represent as Republican Leaders.

Michael Bennette is a Brooklyn native and a lifelong resident of Bensonhurst and Bath Beach. He holds a BA from Brooklyn College, and is a retired Production-Operations Manager in the garment industry. He and his wife Ermine, the daughter of Italian immigrants and a paraprofessional in the public school system, have two children, Michele, a recently engaged fifth-grade teacher, and Laura, a program support assistant.

As the conservative Republican Assembly candidate and the Republican District Leader in the 49^th Assembly District, Brooklyn, N.Y., I will always pledge to work hard for my neighbors and our community. The people deserve to be represented with fairness and dignity. All elected officials need to realize that public office is not an entitlement; it is a privilege that must be respected. It is sad to state that even with hard work and the best of intentions that I did not hold the Republican line during the recent primary elections.  

Many of my neighbors have told me that the results of the primary election do not actually reflect what the people wanted.  It has been brought to my attention that many voters “presumed success” for me and felt that they did not need to go out and vote because they were confident of my victory Many are insisting that I keep running. That they know I am someone they can trust. In the end it is obvious that the people of the 49^th Assembly District are extremely disappointed in their Assembly candidate choices.

The needs of the people have to remain the primary objective! This is especially true for the education of our children, the growth of small businesses and allowing our senior citizens to live with dignity and respect.  The voters of the 49th are faced with a serious dilemma: let things continue as they have been, or make an inappropriate change. Right now, neither option seems satisfactory. They have realized that their needs are once again overlooked for personal political gain.

Having never been a woman to sit on the sidelines and wait for things to happen, I am contemplating what the best thing to do for my community is at this time. We need to look forward to a better tomorrow. We need a good neighbor to work with us. We need a strong independent voice to speak for us. I pledge I will continue working to meet those needs.

Together, I know we can achieve our goals.

Sincerely,

Lucretia Regina-Potter

Jewish Press Endorsements

Editorial Board
Posted September 07 2010

Below are our recommendations for the contested September 14 Democratic and Republican primary races in New York. We have made every effort to identify those candidates who have shown sensitivity to the needs of the Jewish community. http://www.jewishpress.com/pageroute.do/45153

49^th Assembly District: Republican Party

Lucretia Regina-Potter

We endorse Lucretia Regina-Potter in the Republican primary in the 49th district. Long involved in public affairs, she is fast emerging as a leading spokesperson for many of the issues of importance to the Jewish community there, including school choice, tuition vouchers, tax credits for small businesses and family values.

Contact:  Sharon Goldstein @ 718 259-1142

June 29, 2010

CELEBRATING OUR INDEPENDENCE

Lucretia Regina-Potter, Republican District Leader and Assembly Candidate of the 49^th Assembly District, stopped by the Independence Day Parade recently held on 13th Avenue in Brooklyn, sponsored by the Knights of Columbus. Accompanied by volunteers, family, friends and supporters, Lucretia received a friendly reception from onlookers lined up along the 13^th Avenue parade route. Lucretia also received warm greetings and best wishes for a successful campaign!

Lucretia with her daughter and the well-wishing Walters family.

One of the many beautiful classic automobiles that graced the parade route.

“Conservative independent Republicans have a tough fight in Brooklyn, but our principles will trump politics this year.  I am proud to stand with these two hardworking gentlemen as we work together to bring New York back to the people of our state,” proclaimed Regina-Potter.

Grimm and DioGuardi also announced their endorsements of Regina-Potter for New York State Assembly.

The Friends of Lucretia Regina-Potter, and the Fiorello LaGuardia Republican Organization recently held a fundraiser for her candidacy to the New York State Assembly in the 49th Assembly District. The successful party was attended by a large number of friends and supporters. The large turn out is a demonstration for the support of the dynamic Republican District Leader of the 49th AD.  Present at the fundraiser were the Brooklyn representatives of the New York State Right-to-Life Committee who endorsed Lucretia Regina-Potter’s candidacy this winter. In her speech to the people attending, Lucretia pointed out the decline of the condition of our neighborhood under the representation in Albany by the same Assemblyman. “For over a quarter of a century, we have been represented by the same person who has been a member of what has been defined as the most dysfunctional legislature in history.  He is one an Assemblyman that has flip-flopped on several issues to suit his own political self-perpetuation and has not fairly represented the 49th Assembly District in Albany. It is time for REAL change! The people in this District deserve better representation. As your Assemblywoman, a concerned parent, and a businesswoman, I understand the needs of the people of this community. I will make sure I will represent the interests of the people of this district, and not special interests.”