• The 13th Congressional District for the United States House of Representatives includes all of Staten Island and the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge, Bensonhurst, Dyker Heights, and Gravesend in Brooklyn.
  
  
• For more than 27 years, this Congressional District has been represented by Republicans.
  
  
• Congressman Vito Fossella currently represents the 13th Congressional District but is retiring after more than a decade of public service.
  
  
• In 2006, the worst year for New York Republicans in generations (Elliot Spitzer elected Governor and Hillary Clinton elected Senator), Congressman Fossella was re-elected with more than 56% of the vote.
  
  
• In 2004, with President George W. Bush defeating Senator John Kerry in Staten Island by over 13 points, Congressman Fossella won by 26 points.
  
  
• In 2000, with Vice President Al Gore carrying the district against Governor George W. Bush, Congressman Fossella won with 65% of the vote.