NEW YORK, NY July 22, 2008 —The National Democratic Party is lining up behind Staten Island Democrat Mike McMahon as he runs for the seat that'll be vacated by Republican Congressman Vito Fossella. WNYC's Arun Venugopal reports.

REPORTER: Councilman McMahon could be the first Democrat to win the seat in 28 years, and that's motivated other Democrats across the country to open up their check books. These include top members of Congress, such as Rahm Emmanuel, Barney Frank and Steny Hoyer, whose campaigns have each donated $4,000 to McMahon.

A number of big unions have also joined in, as has the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which has given $33,000. Overall, political action committees have contributed more than a third of the half million dollars the McMahon campaign has raised.

By comparison, McMahon's opponent in the Democratic primary, Steven Harrison, has raised about $184,000. But that's far more than what the Republican candidates Jamshad Wyne or Robert Straniere have raised. The primary is set for Sept. 9. For WNYC, I'm Arun Venugopal.