Three candidates vying to represent Staten Island’s 51st City Council District went head-to-head in a NY1 debate.

The candidates include Griffin Fossella, son of Staten Island Borough President Vito Fossella; Frank Morano, a talk radio host with backing from allies of President Donald Trump; and Cliff Hagen, a middle school teacher advocating against overdevelopment in the district.

The special election was triggered by the departure of former Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli, who gave up the seat due to term limits.

Mayor Eric Adams’ “City of Yes” housing proposal, which was approved by the City Council, aims to provide the five boroughs with more housing.

Hagen said he originally disagreed with the plan, but said the City Council “saw fit to amend,” and said some of the suggestions he made "came to fruition."

“The more housing will come with the city-centered, the town-centered development and the transit-oriented development. There will be more apartments built along the railroad. There will be more apartments made available in the town centers,” he said. 

Hagen said the proposal “seems to accommodate more development.”

Meanwhile, Fossella was against the “City of Yes,” saying “it doesn’t fit the character for the people of Staten Island.”

“Maybe it should be a borough-oriented program that is administered. Queens is different than Staten Island. Manhattan is different than Staten Island,” he said “[Staten Island doesn’t] have the transit structure that some of these broughs enjoy.”

Morano also opposes the proposal. 

“Staten Island completely lacks the infrastructure, even for the modified ‘City of Yes,’” he said. “We don’t have significant infrastructure for our needs now. To deal with the kind of density that they’re talking about with ‘City of Yes,’ it just wouldn’t fly.”

During the lightning round portion of the debate, the candidates were asked who they are supporting in the crowded mayoral race.

Fossella said “whoever the Republican candidate is”; Hagen said “whoever shows to have the most integrity”; and Morano said “Curtis Sliwa, enthusiastically.”

When asked if Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has been good at her position on the council, Hagen said she “seems to have accomplished quite a bit, yes”; Morano said “no, she’s been horrendous”; and Fossella said “I don't think so, no.”

Early voting for the special election began on April 21 and runs through April 29.