Felix James Grucci Jr.[1][2] (born November 25, 1951) is an American politician from New York who served in the United States House of Representatives from New York's 1st congressional district as a member of the Republican Party.
Felix Grucci | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from New York's 1st district | |
| In office January 3, 2001 – January 3, 2003 | |
| Preceded by | Michael Forbes |
| Succeeded by | Tim Bishop |
| Brookhaven, New York Town Supervisor | |
| In office 1996–2000 | |
| Preceded by | John LaMura |
| Succeeded by | John J. LaValle |
| Member of the Brookhaven, New York Town Board | |
| In office January 5, 1993 – 1996 | |
| Preceded by | John Powell |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 25, 1951 Brookhaven, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Madeleine Grucci |
| Children | 2 |
Early life
Grucci was born on November 25, 1951, in Brookhaven, New York, to Felix James Grucci Sr. and Concetta DiDio. In 1970, he graduated from Bellport High School. After graduating from high school he started working for his family's business, Fireworks by Grucci.[3][4]
Career
Politics
From 1988 to 1991, Grucci served on the Suffolk County planning commission.[5][3]
In 1990, he received the Republican nomination to run in a special election for a seat in the New York State Assembly to replace John Powell, who had resigned after winning election to the Brookhaven Town Board. In the election he was defeated by former Assemblyman William Bianchi.[6][7]
From 1991 to 1993, Grucci served as the chairman of Brookhaven's Zoning Board of Appeals. On January 5, 1993, he was appointed to the Brookhaven Town Board to fill the vacancy created by John Powell after he accepted a position on the Suffolk County Board of Elections.[8] In 1995, he defeated Democratic nominee Thomas Oberle to win election as Brookhaven Town Supervisor.[9][5][3]
U.S. House of Representatives
2000
On March 20, 2000, Grucci announced that he would run for the Republican nomination in New York's 1st congressional district.[10] Incumbent Representative Michael Forbes, who had switched his political affiliation from Republican to Democratic, was defeated in the Democratic primary by Regina Seltzer.[11][12] In the general election Grucci defeated Seltzer with 133,020 votes to her 97,299.[13]
During the election Grucci was endorsed by Arizona Senator John McCain, Suffolk County Republican Chairman Tony Apollaro, Suffolk County Clerk Ed Romaine, Assembly-member Pat Accampora, Brookhaven Town Councilor John LaValle, Southold Town Councilor Bill Moore, and Southampton Village trustee Bill Manger.[14][15]
2002
During the 2002 congressional elections Grucci released a radio advertisement which stated that Tim Bishop had "turned his back" on rape victims at Southampton College. Grucci was criticized for the advertisement and Bishop filed a lawsuit to prevent the advertisement from being played.[16][17] Amy Walter stated that the advertisement was "a big turning point in this contest" as it was initially predicted that Grucci would easily win reelection.[18]
In the general election Bishop narrowly defeated Grucci with 84,276 votes to 81,524.[19]
Later life
In 2013, Grucci and his sister, Donna Grucci Butler, stepped down as presidents of Fireworks by Grucci and were succeeded by their nephew, Felix Grucci III.[20]
Political positions
On October 10, 2002, Grucci voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.[21]
Electoral history
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Felix Grucci | 111,003 | 46.33% | ||
| Right to Life | Felix Grucci | 8,746 | 3.65% | ||
| Conservative | Felix Grucci | 7,569 | 3.16% | ||
| Independence | Felix Grucci | 5,702 | 2.38% | ||
| Total | Felix Grucci | 133,020 | 55.52% | ||
| Democratic | Regina Seltzer | 97,299 | 40.61% | ||
| Working Families | Michael Forbes (incumbent) | 6,318 | 2.64% | ||
| Green | William G. Holst | 2,967 | 1.24% | ||
| Total votes | 239,604 | 100.00% | |||
| Blank/scattering | Void | 29,574 | |||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Tim Bishop | 81,325 | 48.47% | ||
| Working Families | Tim Bishop | 2,951 | 1.76% | ||
| Total | Tim Bishop | 84,276 | 50.23% | ||
| Republican | Felix Grucci (incumbent) | 64,999 | 38.74% | ||
| Conservative | Felix Grucci (incumbent) | 6,116 | 3.65% | ||
| Right to Life | Felix Grucci (incumbent) | 5,887 | 3.51% | ||
| Independence | Felix Grucci (incumbent) | 4,522 | 2.70% | ||
| Total | Felix Grucci (incumbent) | 81,524 | 48.59% | ||
| Green | Lorna Salzman | 1,991 | 1.19% | ||
| Total votes | 167,791 | 100.00% | |||
| Blank/scattering | Void | 10,739 | |||
References
External links
- United States Congress. "Felix Grucci (id: G000547)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- Appearances on C-SPAN