The Post endorses Frank Morano for City Council in Staten Island’s special election Tuesday

New York Post - Apr 24th, 2025
Open on New York Post

Staten Island is gearing up for a nonpartisan ranked-choice special election to fill the City Council seat vacated by Joe Borelli. Borelli, a Republican known for his common-sense approach, left a significant mark in city politics despite being in the minority. As voters in Council District 51 prepare for Election Day, Republican Frank Morano emerges as a leading candidate, endorsed by The Post and supported by every Republican lawmaker on Staten Island and the Citizens Union. Morano, a native of the island and radio talk show host, is recognized for his strong stance against congestion pricing, sanctuary city policies, and the construction of lithium-ion battery energy-storage facilities in residential areas. He also advocates for property-tax reform and stronger public safety measures.

Morano faces Democratic candidate Cliff Hagen, a public-school teacher and environmentalist, and Griffin Fossella, a Republican with limited political experience. While Hagen proposes increasing public-employee pensions, Fossella, despite being the son of the current borough president, lacks visibility in the campaign. With early voting underway, the election's outcome holds significant implications for the South Shore's representation in city politics, particularly in maintaining the common-sense values and addressing the high cost of living that affects young families and retirees. The election is a pivotal moment for residents to shape the future direction of their community.

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

5.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a timely and relevant overview of a special election on Staten Island, focusing on the candidates and their policy positions. However, it leans heavily in favor of Frank Morano, presenting him as the standout candidate without offering a balanced view of his competitors. The lack of cited sources and transparency about the basis for claims diminishes the article's credibility and reliability. While the article is clear and accessible, its biased tone and limited perspective may hinder its ability to engage readers and provoke meaningful discussion. To enhance its quality, the article would benefit from a more comprehensive and balanced approach, with greater emphasis on source attribution and transparency.

RATING DETAILS

6
Accuracy

The story provides several factual claims about the political landscape on Staten Island and the candidates involved in the special election, such as Joe Borelli's departure, the nature of the special election, and Frank Morano's endorsements and policy positions. While the story accurately states that Borelli's departure triggered a special election and that Morano is endorsed by Citizens Union, it lacks precise details about Borelli's reasons for leaving and the specifics of the election process. The claims about Morano's policy positions, such as his opposition to congestion pricing and sanctuary city policies, require further verification through public records or statements. The portrayal of competitors Cliff Hagen and Griffin Fossella also requires corroboration to ensure accuracy in their described backgrounds and campaign activities.

5
Balance

The article predominantly favors Frank Morano, presenting him as the most suitable candidate while downplaying the qualifications and campaign efforts of his competitors, Cliff Hagen and Griffin Fossella. This creates an imbalance as it does not equally explore the platforms and merits of the other candidates. The article could benefit from a more balanced perspective by providing a more comprehensive view of all candidates' positions, experiences, and endorsements. This would allow readers to make a more informed decision rather than being swayed by a singular narrative.

7
Clarity

The article is generally clear and concise, effectively conveying the main points about the special election and the candidates involved. The language is straightforward, making it accessible to a broad audience. However, the tone is somewhat biased toward Frank Morano, which could affect the perceived neutrality of the piece. Ensuring a more neutral tone and providing a balanced view of all candidates would enhance clarity and help readers better understand the full scope of the election.

4
Source quality

The article does not cite any specific sources for its claims, which diminishes its credibility. The endorsements and policy positions mentioned could be supported by direct quotes or references to statements from the candidates or endorsing organizations. The lack of attributed sources or expert opinions makes it difficult to assess the reliability of the information presented. Including a variety of authoritative sources would enhance the article's credibility and provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issues discussed.

4
Transparency

The article lacks transparency in terms of its methodology and the basis for the claims made. It does not disclose how the endorsements or policy positions were verified, nor does it explain the criteria for deeming Frank Morano the standout candidate. Additionally, potential conflicts of interest, such as relationships between the author and the candidates, are not addressed. Greater transparency about the sources of information and any potential biases would help readers better understand the context and reliability of the article.

Sources

  1. https://citizensunion.org/portfolio-item/citizens-union-endorses-republican-frank-morano-in-staten-island-city-council-special-election/
  2. https://ny1.com/nyc/all-boroughs/inside-city-hall/2025/04/24/three-candidates-for-staten-island-s-51st-city-council-district-debate-on-ny1
  3. https://www.instagram.com/p/DIqwmBpxzbV/
  4. https://moranoforcouncil.com/citizens-union-endorses-frank-morano-in-south-shore-city-council-special-election/
  5. https://moranoforcouncil.com