Party of One
05-20-2005, 12:18 PM
Spota takes GOP hand
Suffolk Democratic district attorney accepts offer for its cross-endorsement at Republican convention
BY RICK BRAND
STAFF WRITER
May 20, 2005
The man who convicted nearly a dozen Republican officials in the last four years, and left the GOP to run for his current job as a Democrat, accepted the support of his former party last night in a move that could buoy Republican fortunes.
Thomas Spota, Suffolk County's Democratic district attorney, showed up to accept a Republican offer to run for re-election on their line, as well as his own, at the GOP convention at LaGrange Inn in West Islip.
Spota, greeted by polite applause, thanked Republican officials for their endorsement, saying, "I really think it affirms and recognizes that partisan politics should play no part in law enforcement." He also promised the 250 committee members "to do all I can to serve all the people equally and fairly."
Joining Spota was Democratic county chairman Richard Schaffer. After Spota spoke, Schaffer said the muted reception for Spota during the meeting wasn't unexpected.
"I think it's natural there may be some real partisans who did not want to go along with it," he said of the cross-endorsement. "But I think a majority believes that Spota has restored integrity ... to the office."
Half the Republican officials convicted by Spota's office come from Brookhaven, the largest of the Republican-held towns. But Spota's office also convicted Stephen Baranello, a former adviser to Demo- cratic Executive Steve Levy.
In nominating Spota, Republican Comptroller Joseph Sawicki praised what he called Spota's "impeccable résumé" as Suffolk's top homicide prosecutor when he was a Republican, and his work as district attorney. "Corruption is not a Republican or a Democratic issue."
Spota, a long-time Republican, became a Democrat in 2001.
Campaign consultant Michael Dawidziak said it was an "incredibly smart move ... You don't want people to leave the Republican line to vote for Spota."
Yet Rachel Leon, of Common Cause New York, said, "It seems like voters deserve a choice."
Republicans backed GOP Sheriff Alfred Tisch and Legis. Angie Carpenter of West Islip for county treasurer. Among candidates for legislative seats were Assemb. Thomas Barraga (R-West Islip) in the 11th District, and Frank Gargano, a businessman and nephew of Gov. George Pataki's top economic adviser, in the 16th.
In other Republican districts:
8th: Alfred Graf of Holbrook, a former police officer and supervisor of the Town of Brighton.
9th: Yvette Camacho of Central Islip, an Islip Town sanitation inspector.
14th: Robert Pflaum of Babylon, a police detective.
15th: Patricia Hill Williams of North Babylon, a former vice president at Farmingdale State University.
17th: Dennis Garetano, a Huntington Station printer.
Republicans delayed naming candidates in three districts. The party also named incumbent Gregory Blass of Jamesport and District Court Judge W. Gerard Asher of Huntington for Family Court judge and John Iliou for Third District Court in Babylon.
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.
Suffolk Democratic district attorney accepts offer for its cross-endorsement at Republican convention
BY RICK BRAND
STAFF WRITER
May 20, 2005
The man who convicted nearly a dozen Republican officials in the last four years, and left the GOP to run for his current job as a Democrat, accepted the support of his former party last night in a move that could buoy Republican fortunes.
Thomas Spota, Suffolk County's Democratic district attorney, showed up to accept a Republican offer to run for re-election on their line, as well as his own, at the GOP convention at LaGrange Inn in West Islip.
Spota, greeted by polite applause, thanked Republican officials for their endorsement, saying, "I really think it affirms and recognizes that partisan politics should play no part in law enforcement." He also promised the 250 committee members "to do all I can to serve all the people equally and fairly."
Joining Spota was Democratic county chairman Richard Schaffer. After Spota spoke, Schaffer said the muted reception for Spota during the meeting wasn't unexpected.
"I think it's natural there may be some real partisans who did not want to go along with it," he said of the cross-endorsement. "But I think a majority believes that Spota has restored integrity ... to the office."
Half the Republican officials convicted by Spota's office come from Brookhaven, the largest of the Republican-held towns. But Spota's office also convicted Stephen Baranello, a former adviser to Demo- cratic Executive Steve Levy.
In nominating Spota, Republican Comptroller Joseph Sawicki praised what he called Spota's "impeccable résumé" as Suffolk's top homicide prosecutor when he was a Republican, and his work as district attorney. "Corruption is not a Republican or a Democratic issue."
Spota, a long-time Republican, became a Democrat in 2001.
Campaign consultant Michael Dawidziak said it was an "incredibly smart move ... You don't want people to leave the Republican line to vote for Spota."
Yet Rachel Leon, of Common Cause New York, said, "It seems like voters deserve a choice."
Republicans backed GOP Sheriff Alfred Tisch and Legis. Angie Carpenter of West Islip for county treasurer. Among candidates for legislative seats were Assemb. Thomas Barraga (R-West Islip) in the 11th District, and Frank Gargano, a businessman and nephew of Gov. George Pataki's top economic adviser, in the 16th.
In other Republican districts:
8th: Alfred Graf of Holbrook, a former police officer and supervisor of the Town of Brighton.
9th: Yvette Camacho of Central Islip, an Islip Town sanitation inspector.
14th: Robert Pflaum of Babylon, a police detective.
15th: Patricia Hill Williams of North Babylon, a former vice president at Farmingdale State University.
17th: Dennis Garetano, a Huntington Station printer.
Republicans delayed naming candidates in three districts. The party also named incumbent Gregory Blass of Jamesport and District Court Judge W. Gerard Asher of Huntington for Family Court judge and John Iliou for Third District Court in Babylon.
Copyright 2005 Newsday Inc.