Vincent Marchiselli

Who was Vincent Marchiselli?

Vincent Andrew Marchiselli was a Democratic member of the New York State Assembly from the Bronx, New York. He was born in The Bronx, New York. Before getting involved in politics, Marchiselli was president of his own funeral home, Marchiselli Funeral Homes, in the Bronx. Marchiselli first ran for office in 1970, but lost the Democratic primary for Assembly in the 86th district to incumbent Anthony J. Stella. In 1974, Marchiselli was elected to the Assembly, defeating Republican Victor B. Tosi in a competitive race. Marchiselli was re-elected to four terms. Marchiselli was affiliated with the "reform wing" of Bronx Democrats, who included then-Assemblymen Oliver Koppell and Eliot L. Engel. The "reform" Democrats in the Bronx often clashed with the "regular" Democrats who strongly supported the powerful Bronx Democratic County political machine and its chairmen such as Charles A. Buckley, Patrick Cunningham and Stanley M. Friedman. Although liberal on most issues, Marchiselli, a devout Catholic, was pro-life on abortion and supported tax credits for parents who send their children to private schools.

In 1984, after his district's boundaries were redrawn, Marchiselli was narrowly defeated in the Democratic primary for the 82nd Assembly district by Larry Seabrook. Marchiselli attempted to regain his seat in 1986, but was once again defeated by Seabrook in the primary.