Felix Grucci

Felix J. Grucci Jr.[1] (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, United States
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Madeleine Grucci
Children	2

Early life

Felix J. Grucci Jr. was born on November 25, 1951, in Brookhaven, New York, to Felix J. 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.[2][3]

Career

Politics

From 1988 to 1991, Grucci served on the Suffolk County planning commission.[1][2]

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.[4][5]

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.[6] In 1995, he defeated Democratic nominee Thomas Oberle to win election as Brookhaven Town Supervisor.[7][1][2]

2000

On March 20, 2000, Grucci announced that he would run for the Republican nomination in New York's 1st congressional district.[8] Incumbent Representative Michael Forbes, who had switched his political affiliation from Republican to Democratic, was defeated in the Democratic primary by Regina Seltzer.[9][10] In the general election Grucci defeated Seltzer with 133,020 votes to her 97,299.[11]

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 Counciler John LaValle, Southold Town Counciler Bill Moore, and Southampton Village trustee Bill Manger.[12][13]

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.[14][15] 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.[16]

In the general election Bishop narrowly defeated Grucci with 84,276 votes to 81,524.[17]

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.[18]

Political positions

On October 10, 2002, Grucci voted in favor of the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002.[19]

Electoral history

2000 New York's 1st congressional district election[11]

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

2002 New York's 1st congressional district election[17]

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

1. "Felix Grucci, Jr.'s Biography". Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
2. "GRUCCI, Jr., Felix J. (1951-)". Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
3. "High school to business". The Post-Star. November 26, 2000. p. 47. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Elections to fill 3 Assembly seats". Star Gazette. February 19, 1990. p. 10. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Winners of three state Assembly seats are death penalty supporters". The Journal News. February 21, 1990. p. 12. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Hempstead GOPers select Mondello aide". Daily News. January 6, 1993. p. 556. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "Landslide surprise for Gaffney". Daily News. November 9, 1993. p. 177. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Fireworks king Grucci to run for Forbes seat". Daily News. March 21, 2000. p. 644. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "6 members of House win city primaries". Daily News. September 13, 2000. p. 383. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Forbes loses to former librarian". Democrat and Chronicle. September 20, 2000. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "2000 election results" (PDF).
12. "Brookhaven GOPer wins county nod". Daily News. January 31, 2000. p. 228. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "McCain ready to rumble for Rudy". Daily News. March 31, 2000. p. 7. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Polls determine party spending". The Ithaca Journal. October 28, 2002. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "Political ad court hearing rescheduled for Monday". The Post-Star. October 3, 2002. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "New York Congressional races could help shape Capitol Hill". The Post-Star. November 3, 2002. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "2002 election results" (PDF).
18. "Felix Grucci is new CEO at Grucci Inc". Newsday. January 19, 2013. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020.
19. "Iraq attack OK'd on Hill". Daily News. October 11, 2002. p. 8. Archived from the original on July 1, 2020. Retrieved July 1, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.

External links

• United States Congress. "Felix Grucci (id: G000547)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
• Appearances on C-SPAN