John Mancuso (Photo: Facebook)

John Mancuso, an owner of a Staten Island catering business active in Democratic politics, will kick off his race against freshman GOP Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis tomorrow evening, his campaign announced. City & State had originally reported Mr. Mancuso was eyeing the race, but tomorrow marks the official firing off point for what will be one of the few competitive assembly races in New York City this year.

"I'm a fourth generation Staten Islander," Mr. Mancuso told The Politicker this evening, professing his love for Staten Island and Brooklyn. "Right now the 60th Assembly District is not getting what it deserves."

"I want to make sure whoever represents us this year, hopefully me, will bring back the bacon," and make sure programs are funded, he explained. Mr. Mancuso made sure to devote attention reigning in "out of control" tolls, an incredibly important local issue that Ms. Malliotakis (and pretty much every Staten Island politician) focus on as well.

Mr. Mancuso said, however, being a member of the Democratic Party, which dominates the State Assembly, will allow him to accomplish more.

"If you're a majority member, naturally you're going to be able to get bills passed and naturally you'll be able to get things done a lot easier," he said.

Ms. Malliotakis won't necessarily be an easy target as she is one of the most prodigious fundraisers in the entire New York State Assembly and considered a rising star in some Republican circles.

Mr. Mancuso, who's a former Deputy Chief of Staff for former State Senator Seymour Lachman and Chief of Staff for Councilman Vinnie Gentile, said he has plenty of contacts and Ms. Malliotakis' fundraising "doesn't intimidate me one bit."