[caption id="attachment_71844" align="aligncenter" width="600" caption="Dan Halloran."]
New York City Council member Dan Halloran is pressing on with his campaign to win a seat in Congress in November despite being diagnosed with a benign brain tumor.
Halloran, who was honored this year at the Irish Echo's 40 Under 40 event, is running as a Republican in New York's 6th Congressional District.
According to a report in the Daily News, Halloran, in an email to supporters, said he was diagnosed in March and while he expects to be out of action for a few weeks while recovering from the operation which will take place this week.
The email to supporters stated: "As a member of the City Council, I'm used to my every move being public. It's one of the downsides to a life of public service, but I have grown accustomed to it. Today, however, I need to share with you something about the most private of subjects -- my personal health.
"On Wednesday, I will undergo a neurosurgical procedure to remove a benign tumor. It's a lengthy operation that will require me to remain in the hospital for the rest of the week. Then, after all goes well, I'll return home to rest and recuperate. My doctors expect a speedy recovery, and I hope to be back on my feet within a few weeks - and get back to the business of serving you in City Hall and fighting for our district, the middle class, and our shared values.
"I had the good fortune to have been timely diagnosed, back in March. Since then, I have introduced legislation to reform the Board of Standards and Appeals, fought against the DEP's water rate hikes, and helped revitalize a blighted lot in Whitestone. And I've gone to every Council meeting, attended all hearings for the committees I oversee, and been to a host of events to support our local charitable organizations, youth sports associations, and senior centers. While this has been in the back of my mind the whole time, as you can see, it hasn't slowed me down. Nothing can.
"As with any operation, there is the potential for complications. I'll admit to being afraid. Who wouldn't be?
"But my surgery is a small ordeal compared to what many New Yorkers are going through. I will keep you all in my mind as I fight through this surgery so I can get back to working for you.
"I am fortunate to have good doctors working to resolve my health issues and a great staff who will be there for our community day in and day out. There will be no lack of attention to your needs while I am on the mend, and my staff will continue to provide the best constituent service in the City of New York.
"In the meantime, I ask for your thoughts during these next two weeks, and welcome the prayers and well-wishes of those who have expressed their concern. It is deeply gratifying to realize how much so many of you care. Know that I will be back to fight for you and for our neighborhoods as soon as possible."
Halloran represents Queens' 19th Council District, which includes the neighborhoods of Bayside, College Point, Auburndale, Beechhurst, Whitestone, Bay Terrace, Robinwood, and parts of Flushing, Douglaston and Little Neck.
The 6th District is a new one that has been carved out of the district (the 5th) represented for years by Democrat Gary Ackerman who is retiring from Congress. It includes a large swathe of north and central Queens.
Halloran was the unanimous choice of the Queens Republican Party. It was thought at one point that Rep. Bob Turner, who captured the congressional seat formerly held by Democrat Anthony Weiner in the 9th District, might contest for the seat, but he is now running for the U.S. Senate against incumbent Democrat Kirsten Gillibrand.
