NEW YORK, June 22 (UPI) -- Francis H. Powers, the GOP candidate for the seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Vito J. Fossella, R-N.Y., died Sunday in his sleep at home, party leaders said.
Family members said the retired Wall Street executive from Staten Island, who had been endorsed by Republican leaders, died of natural causes, The New York Times reported.
Powers, a board member of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, had never run for public office before. He became a candidate for the November election after Fossella decided not to run for re-election because of a personal scandal, the Times reported.
Fossella, who was arrested May 1 on charges of driving while intoxicated and who later acknowledged fathering a daughter out of wedlock, has held the seat since 1997 and is the only Republican representing New York City in Congress. The seat has been in Republican hands for 28 years.
The district's Democratic leaders are backing City Councilman Michael E. McMahon for the seat.
