Vito P. Battista (September 7, 1908 – May 24, 1990) was an Italian-born American politician who served in the New York State Assembly from the 38th district from 1969 to 1974.[1][2] He ran for New York's 9th congressional district in the 1980 election. He lost to incumbent, Geraldine Ferraro.[3] He served on the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board under president Ronald Reagan from 1984 until 1987.[4][5] He died on May 24, 1990, in Brooklyn, New York City, New York at age 81.[6]
Vito P. Battista | |
|---|---|
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 38th district | |
| In office January 1, 1969 – December 31, 1974 | |
| Preceded by | Anthony J. Travia |
| Succeeded by | Frederick D. Schmidt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 7, 1908 |
| Died | May 24, 1990 (aged 81) |
| Party | Republican |
Political career
editBeginning with the 1957 New York City mayoral race, Battista embarked on the first of what would be over 20 runs for office. He became such a fixture in New York politics, that The New York Times referred to him as “the perennial Battista.”[7] Battista was known for campaign tactics that attracted media attention, including, at various points parading a camel, an elephant and a monkey through the streets of New York.[8]
He won his first election, to the New York State Assembly, representing District 38, which covered Brooklyn and Queens, in 1969.[9]
A main focus of Battista and his United Taxpayers Party was a lifelong opposition to rent control and public housing, and opposition to busing of children as an attempt to achieve school integration.[10][11]
References
edit- ↑ Francis X. Clines (April 18, 1972). "Assembly Votes Lindsay Plan too Save Corona Homes". Nytimes.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- ↑ Glenn Singer (June 11, 1972). "Voters Hold the Key In 'Battle of Corona'". Nytimes.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- ↑ https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=49849
- ↑ "Appointment of Three Members of the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board | the American Presidency Project".
- ↑ https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/appointment-five-members-the-architectural-and-transportation-barriers-compliance-board>
- ↑ Alfonso A. Narvaez (May 25, 1990). "Vito Battista, 81, Architect, Dies; Colorful New York Political Figure". Nytimes.com. Retrieved April 7, 2019.
- ↑ "The Perennial Battista". The New York Times. July 1, 1965. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ "Battista Visits Wall Street With Elephant, Monkey". The New York Times. July 28, 1985. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ "Our Campaigns: Battista, Vito P." Our Campaigns. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ Peterson, Iver (August 4, 1974). "Integration Is Focus Of Actions By Schools". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ↑ Cleffi, R. (May 5, 2022). "Arch-Conservative". Urban Omnibus (A Publication of the Architectural League of New York). Retrieved December 1, 2024.
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