He then worked for Democratic State Assembly members Eric Vitaliano and Elizabeth Connelly.

Although Democrats have a 17-point edge in registration, its voters are somewhat conservative on social issues and matters regarding "law and order", which kept Republicans in the seat for over a quarter century.

However, the Republicans had considerable difficulty finding a replacement for Fossella on the ballot, eventually settling on former state assemblyman Robert Straniere.

[8] McMahon had publicly expressed a "serious interest" for retaking his old seat, now numbered as the 11th District, in the 2015 special election to replace his successor Michael Grimm.

[9] Grimm, who defeated McMahon for reelection in 2010, announced his plans to resign in January after pleading guilty to a felony tax evasion charge on December 23, 2014.

[10] McMahon, however, declined to run, deciding to enter the race for Staten Island (Richmond County) District Attorney, and the Democratic nomination went to New York City Councilman Vincent J. Gentile, who was from the Brooklyn portion of the district.

[11][12] In November, McMahon defeated Republican candidate Joan Illuzzi for Staten Island District Attorney.