Could Bo Dietl still end up in a Republican mayoral primary? That prospect has appeared dead since Dietl lost his lawsuit seeking reinstatement as a Republican and the five county Republican leaders declined any interest in granting Dietl a Wilson-Pakula, but he has yet another chance tonight. Dietl is set to appear at a meeting of the Queens County Republican executive committee to pitch his candidacy, seeking an endorsement and a Wilson-Pakula. Nicole Malliotakis is also expected to appear, seeking the Queens County GOP endorsement in the wake of Paul Massey’s withdrawal from the race. The Queens Republican Party initially supported Paul Massey, but Massey abruptly announced his withdrawal from the race on June 28th. As we reported on July 6th, the Queens GOP then set tonight as the date for considering its post-Massey options.
Queens Republican Chairman Bob Turner confirmed this afternoon that the Queens GOP meeting is on for tonight and characterized Dietl as having “an outside chance” at gaining the County organization’s support. Turner declined to offer any information on his personal view, however. Turner was an early supporter of Paul Massey, and instrumental in the Queens Republican Party’s endorsement of Massey.
Dietl’s campaign manager, Fred Polsinelli, expressed some optimism at Dietl’s prospects, saying that Dietl is “eager to participate” and would welcome GOP support and the chance to enter their primary.
It’s a difficult, but not impossible, path for Dietl. He’ll need to get 50.1% of the weighted vote of the State Committee members from the five New York City counties in order to receive a Wilson-Pakula. Should he manage to do so in Queens, his prospective path then heads north to the Bronx, where he has a fairly strong chance, and then to Manhattan. His prospects there appear far less certain, but it’s my understanding that there’s an effort underway to round Manhattan GOP support. (The Bronx endorsed Paul Massey and Manhattan did not endorse any candidate.) He would then also need to essentially step into Paul Massey’s shoes, gaining the use of Massey’s filed petitions through the support of Massey’s committee to fill vacancies, acting on Massey’s declination. It’s a complicated path, both in terms of political support and navigating the Election Law, but that path remains open for Dietl.
Updated – Massey: My understanding is that Paul Massey has not sought to influence Queens County’s consideration of a Wilson-Pakula for Dietl. He has not made any public comment on endorsing a mayoral candidate.