Halloran Says He Will Not Seek Another Term

Councilman Dan Halloran, R-Whitestone, said Wednesday that he would not seek another term in office following his recent arrest in an alleged mayoral rigging scheme.  

Halloran and state Sen. Malcolm Smith, D-Jamaica, were arrested last month after they allegedly attempted to rig the mayoral election by getting Smith on the Republican ballot.  

And earlier this week, City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, D-Manhattan, said she planned to launch a probe into the councilman’s alleged relationships with two staff members – an intern and his former deputy chief of staff.  

Halloran said he would not seek reelection in order to clear his name without political distraction.  

“It has been the greatest honor to serve this beautiful district in which I am proud to have lived my entire life,” he said. “Regrettably, I must now focus my attention on clearing my name and restoring my reputation, while I continue to discharge my sworn duties as a member of the New York City Council. After much thought, I have concluded that it is impossible for me to properly do these things and take on the enormous demands of a political campaign, so I will not pursue another term in the Council.”  

Halloran said he regretted that his staff members were suffering as a result of his arrest.  

“For these last four years, our community has been fortune to have had my incredible Council District 19 staff working hard to resolve issues between the citizenry and their city government,” he said. “They continue work diligently in the people’s interest and it saddens me that these dedicated public servants have suffered along with me.”  

Halloran said he believed he would be vindicated in the course of the investigation into the alleged mayoral rigging scheme.  

Currently, a bevy of Democrats have thrown their hats into the ring for the primary for Halloran’s seat, including attorney Paul Vallone, former state Assemblyman John Duane, long-time community activist Paul Graziano and Austin Shafran, who recently served as vice president of public relations for Empire State Development.