In the Assembly… one going, another staying

In an exclusive interview with The Staten Island Advance GOP Assemblyman Lou Tobacco confirmed a Politicker report that he is not seeking re-election. In the interview, Tobacco said he was having difficulty making ends meet at home. Tobacco earns $88,500 a year as a lawmaker.

Tobacco was elected to the Assembly in 2007. He lives in the Tottenville area of Staten Island with his wife, Jennifer, and their four children. You can see Tobacco biography here.

Capitol Confidential’s Jimmy Vielkind writes that Assembly Majority Leader Ron Canestrari is staying right where he is, despite whispers that he was contemplating retirement at the end of his term this year.

Veilkind wrote “[Canestrari] has not discussed retirement plans with anyone and plans to seek re-election.” This is what Canestrari said to Veilkind:
“I’m hearing the rumor a lot too, I don’t know where it started, except people who want to run for office. I expect to run, yes I do,” he said. “A lot of this happens during a redistricting year when they think changes are being made, and it can be a time for members to leave. Certainly I have a lot of time in and am eligible to take my retirement, but I don’t do it. So that’s a consideration on my part, and a lot of this stuff goes on.”