The Post endorses Frank Morano for City Council in Staten Island’s special election Tuesday

Staten Island City Councilman Joe Borelli’s early departure from office has triggered a nonpartisan ranked-choice special election to fill the vacancy. Election Day is Tuesday, and The Post today endorses Republican Frank Morano for the post.

Borrelli, a Republican, and one of just a handful of city lawmakers with common sense, was an important voice at the council — and in city politics — despite being in the minority.

Which is why it’s so important that voters who live in Council District 51, the island’s South Shore, make sure to vote and elect someone with the gravitas to fill Borrelli’s shoes.

Morano clearly stands out. A long-time radio talk show host, he’s endorsed by every Republican lawmaker on Staten Island — and as well as by the good-government watchdog Citizens Union.

He’s also a native of the island and has a firm grasp on the key issues affecting the South Shore, as well as the city as a whole.

Like Borrelli, he fiercely opposes congestion-pricing and NYC’s sanctuary city policies. He’s also raised flags about a “transient” hotel under construction in the area.

And he’ll fight to keep lithium-ion battery energy-storage facilities out of residential areas.

Morano champions property-tax reform, stronger public-safety measures and affordability to stem the out-migration of young families and older retirees struggling with the city’s high cost of living.

He faces two main competitors, Cliff Hagen, a regular Democrat, and Griffin Fossella, the Republican son of the current borough president. 

Hagen, a public-school teacher and environmentalist, would push to hike already generous public-employee pensions.

Fossella, a Republican political scion, has no real experience in politics, government or community affairs — and reportedly hasn’t been visible on the campaign trail.

Of the three, Frank Morano is the stand-out; he’ll best champion the South Shore’s common-sense values and politics.

Early voting is already underway, and polls open on Election Day from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Be sure to vote.