NEW YORK -- Former New York state assemblyman Robert Straniere has declared his candidacy for Vito Fossella's congressional seat.

Straniere -- who's a lawyer and a partner in a family hot dog restaurant -- is gathering petitions for a July 10 deadline to qualify for the Republican ballot.

The Republicans' chosen successor, Frank Powers, died suddenly last month. The party had hoped Powers could retain its hold on the 13th Congressional District.

Fossella decided not to seek re-election following revelations that he fathered a child outside his marriage. The relationship was exposed after Fossella was arrested and charged with drunken driving in a Washington, D.C., suburb.