Suffolk Conenders
06-02-2007, 11:36 AM
Riverhead Saturday, June 02
A Look At The Major Party Contenders
By:Michelle Pirraglia
05/30/2007
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Suffolk County's Republican and Democratic committees held conventions last week to announce who they will be supporting this November. All 18 seats on the Suffolk County Legislature are up for grabs, as well as the top spot of county executive.
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One of the most noted announcements came at the Republican convention on Thursday evening, as the Suffolk GOP announced they would be cross-endorsing current Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, a Democrat.
"I would prefer if one of our elected officials would step up and say, 'I'll take him [Levy] on,' but that hasn't happened," Suffolk County Republican Committee Chair Harry Withers said the day before the convention. Noting that this will mark the "first time" a county executive is running without a major party contender in Suffolk, Withers said Levy's high approval rating makes him "tough" to beat. When asked whether not putting up a candidate against Levy stifles the democratic process, Withers said, "Perhaps, but it's not unusual," adding that Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and Suffolk County Comptroller Joe Sawicki were both cross-endorsed.
Only one of the 10 town Republican committees chose not to back the decision to cross-endorse Levy. Members of the Huntington Republican Committee declined to attend the convention.
"There are always talks," Suffolk County Democratic Committee Chair Richard Schaffer said last week, prior to the announcement that Levy would be cross-endorsed.
Schaffer touted Levy's record, stating, "I've never met anyone who works as hard as he does. He's able to pinpoint every issue of concern, and always has a response for [his positions]."
The races for 18 seats on the county Legislature are heating up on both sides of the aisle. Democrats took control of the Suffolk Legislature two years ago after a long stint as the minority party, and Republicans are looking to make up ground this year with a number of newcomers. But the Democrats have several fresh faces of thr own to challenge GOP incumbents.
"We tried to recruit new, younger candidates who think outside the box," Withers commented, noting that he expected all but one of the Republican incumbents to be endorsed. As for why Republicans lost so many seats the last time around, he added, "We had some poor candidates, and we weren't helped by the national [perception] of the [US President George W.] Bush administration."
Schaffer, who said there was "no question" that his party would be endorsing all of the incumbent Democrats, believes the election will hinge on voters' assessment of the Levy administration.
"The question is, are you satisfied with Steve Levy and his Democratic team?" Schaffer said. "I'm confident the answer's going to be a resounding 'yes.'"
The following is an outline of major party contenders for the 18 legislative districts.
1st LD
In the 1st Legislative District, incumbent county Legislator Ed Romaine (R-Riverhead) got the nod from the GOP. He is slated to square off against Democratic newcomer Matthew Bjelobrk, a Wading River resident who has served two tours of duty in Iraq and is currently a Suffolk County police officer.
2nd LD
A Democratic candidate has yet to be named to challenge Legislator Jay Schnderman (R-Sag Harbor), who was endorsed by Republicans for the 2nd LD seat.
3rd LD
For the 3rd LD, Republicans said they will put up local community activist Elizabeth Manzella against incumbent Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), who again recved the Democratic endorsement for her seat.
4th LD
Those in the 4th LD will have a new face serving in thr area come January 1, 2008, as Legislator Joe Caracappa (R-Centereach) is bng term-limited out.
"That's going to be the hot race this year," Schaffer commented. The Democrats are putting up Brian Beedenbender, who is currently serving as an aide to Levy.
"That's going to be a battle ground, but we have a very strong candidate," Withers commented, noting that Republicans have nominated Thomas Muratore, who is currently vice president of the Police Benevolent Association.
5th LD
Incumbent Democrat Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Port Jefferson) got the nomination from her party for the 5th LD. She is expected to run against Republican contender Irene D'Abramo, who is currently employed with the Suffolk County Board of Elections.
6th LD
Minority Leader Dan Losquadro (R-Mount Sinai) is slated to run again on the Republican ticket against Democrat Bryan Lilly, a small business owner from Shoreham, for the 6th LD seat.
7th LD
In the 7th LD, Legislator Jack Eddington (WF-Patchogue) was again endorsed by the Democratic Party. Republicans are looking to challenge with local attorney Brian Egan.
8th LD
Presiding Officer Bill Lindsay (D-Holbrook) is slated to square off against Republican John Bugler - who last year made an unsuccessful bid for US Congress - to retain his seat in the 8th LD.
9th LD
For the 9th LD, incumbent Ricardo Montano (D-Central ) recved the nod from Suffolk Democrats. A Republican candidate had not been announced, as of press time.
10th, 11th Legislative Districts
Republican incumbents Cameron Alden (R-) and Tom Barraga (R-West ) still do not have Democratic challengers, as of press time, for thr seats in the 10th and 11th legislative districts, respectively.
12th LD
In a controversial move, the Smithtown Republican Committee opted not to endorse incumbent GOP Legislator John Kennedy (R-Hauppauge) for the 12th LD, instead giving the nod to attorney Vincent Trimarco, Jr. The Democrats will be challenging with Patrick Byrne, a Nesconset native and financial planner who lost to Kennedy in a bid for this seat in 2005.
"For my constituents, I think I've done more than an adequate job," Kennedy said last week. "I think I've been a good legislator, but a bad politician ... and I question anyone who says this move was good for the party. I should be helping the [new] candidates, supporting them, but instead I have to fight for my seat."
Smithtown Republican Committee Chair Bill Ellis stated that the party withdrew its support for Kennedy following votes the legislator made on two "key" bills - one concerning loitering and illegal immigration, and the other tightening residency restrictions for convicted sex offenders. "He's alienated committee people and community groups," Ellis said.
In response, Kennedy said he did not believe "two votes out of the hundreds, if not thousands" he has cast during his time on the Legislature were the reason behind the decision. "I called the town to task when I saw questionable and imprudent development in the town," he said, specifically referring to a "four-story hotel" that was approved by Smithtown officials for construction near The Watermill. "My constituents were opposed to it ... and now the son of the attorney who represented that venture is bng endorsed [by Republicans]." He added that other issues, including pushing the town to address flooding problems in the area, led to the party's withdrawal of support.
"That's totally untrue," Ellis said of Kennedy's claims. "He's never been happy in that job [as legislator]. He even asked me if I could find him an appointment somewhere else."
"Did I express some reticence in the beginning? You bet I did," Kennedy replied. "I took a substantial salary cut, and I thought I would have more time ... It's a much different experience, but I finally reconciled with it ... If I was unhappy, why would I have screened?"
Kennedy also represents portions of and Brookhaven towns, where the legislator said Republicans have been "supportive" of him. However, ultimately, the deciding vote is made by the Smithtown committee.
Kennedy stated that he intends to primary for the Republican ticket, and also hopes to recve the Working Families Party nod, to put him on the ballot for his seat.
13th LD
In the 13th LD, Democrats will be pitting attorney William Turley, of Fort Salonga, against long-time incumbent Republican Lynne Nowick (R-Smithtown).
14th LD
Mark Gallo, who lost his bid for a seat on the Babylon Town Board last year, has been endorsed by Republicans to run against Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-Lindenhurst), the Democratic incumbent for the 14th LD who is making a bid for a second term.
15th LD
In the race for the 15th LD slot, incumbent Democrat Elie Mystal (D-Amityville) will face off against Republican Edward Brown, a member of the Babylon Town Republican Committee.
16th LD
For the 16th LD, incumbent Democrat Steven Stern (D-Huntington) recved the nomination to run for re-election to a second two-year term. As of press time, the Republicans had not announced a challenger.
17th LD
Legislator Lou D'Amaro (D-Huntington Station) has gotten the Democratic endorsement to run again for his seat in the 17th LD. While a Republican candidate had not been announced by press time, GOP leaders expect Huntington Republic Committee member Chad Lupinacci, of Huntington Station, to challenge the first-term Democrat.
18th LD
In the 18th LD, incumbent Democrat and Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) has recved the party's nomination for the seat. The Republicans had not chosen a challenger, as of press time.
A Look At The Major Party Contenders
By:Michelle Pirraglia
05/30/2007
Email to a friendPost a CommentPrinter-friendly
Suffolk County's Republican and Democratic committees held conventions last week to announce who they will be supporting this November. All 18 seats on the Suffolk County Legislature are up for grabs, as well as the top spot of county executive.
Advertisement
One of the most noted announcements came at the Republican convention on Thursday evening, as the Suffolk GOP announced they would be cross-endorsing current Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, a Democrat.
"I would prefer if one of our elected officials would step up and say, 'I'll take him [Levy] on,' but that hasn't happened," Suffolk County Republican Committee Chair Harry Withers said the day before the convention. Noting that this will mark the "first time" a county executive is running without a major party contender in Suffolk, Withers said Levy's high approval rating makes him "tough" to beat. When asked whether not putting up a candidate against Levy stifles the democratic process, Withers said, "Perhaps, but it's not unusual," adding that Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota and Suffolk County Comptroller Joe Sawicki were both cross-endorsed.
Only one of the 10 town Republican committees chose not to back the decision to cross-endorse Levy. Members of the Huntington Republican Committee declined to attend the convention.
"There are always talks," Suffolk County Democratic Committee Chair Richard Schaffer said last week, prior to the announcement that Levy would be cross-endorsed.
Schaffer touted Levy's record, stating, "I've never met anyone who works as hard as he does. He's able to pinpoint every issue of concern, and always has a response for [his positions]."
The races for 18 seats on the county Legislature are heating up on both sides of the aisle. Democrats took control of the Suffolk Legislature two years ago after a long stint as the minority party, and Republicans are looking to make up ground this year with a number of newcomers. But the Democrats have several fresh faces of thr own to challenge GOP incumbents.
"We tried to recruit new, younger candidates who think outside the box," Withers commented, noting that he expected all but one of the Republican incumbents to be endorsed. As for why Republicans lost so many seats the last time around, he added, "We had some poor candidates, and we weren't helped by the national [perception] of the [US President George W.] Bush administration."
Schaffer, who said there was "no question" that his party would be endorsing all of the incumbent Democrats, believes the election will hinge on voters' assessment of the Levy administration.
"The question is, are you satisfied with Steve Levy and his Democratic team?" Schaffer said. "I'm confident the answer's going to be a resounding 'yes.'"
The following is an outline of major party contenders for the 18 legislative districts.
1st LD
In the 1st Legislative District, incumbent county Legislator Ed Romaine (R-Riverhead) got the nod from the GOP. He is slated to square off against Democratic newcomer Matthew Bjelobrk, a Wading River resident who has served two tours of duty in Iraq and is currently a Suffolk County police officer.
2nd LD
A Democratic candidate has yet to be named to challenge Legislator Jay Schnderman (R-Sag Harbor), who was endorsed by Republicans for the 2nd LD seat.
3rd LD
For the 3rd LD, Republicans said they will put up local community activist Elizabeth Manzella against incumbent Legislator Kate Browning (WF-Shirley), who again recved the Democratic endorsement for her seat.
4th LD
Those in the 4th LD will have a new face serving in thr area come January 1, 2008, as Legislator Joe Caracappa (R-Centereach) is bng term-limited out.
"That's going to be the hot race this year," Schaffer commented. The Democrats are putting up Brian Beedenbender, who is currently serving as an aide to Levy.
"That's going to be a battle ground, but we have a very strong candidate," Withers commented, noting that Republicans have nominated Thomas Muratore, who is currently vice president of the Police Benevolent Association.
5th LD
Incumbent Democrat Vivian Viloria-Fisher (D-Port Jefferson) got the nomination from her party for the 5th LD. She is expected to run against Republican contender Irene D'Abramo, who is currently employed with the Suffolk County Board of Elections.
6th LD
Minority Leader Dan Losquadro (R-Mount Sinai) is slated to run again on the Republican ticket against Democrat Bryan Lilly, a small business owner from Shoreham, for the 6th LD seat.
7th LD
In the 7th LD, Legislator Jack Eddington (WF-Patchogue) was again endorsed by the Democratic Party. Republicans are looking to challenge with local attorney Brian Egan.
8th LD
Presiding Officer Bill Lindsay (D-Holbrook) is slated to square off against Republican John Bugler - who last year made an unsuccessful bid for US Congress - to retain his seat in the 8th LD.
9th LD
For the 9th LD, incumbent Ricardo Montano (D-Central ) recved the nod from Suffolk Democrats. A Republican candidate had not been announced, as of press time.
10th, 11th Legislative Districts
Republican incumbents Cameron Alden (R-) and Tom Barraga (R-West ) still do not have Democratic challengers, as of press time, for thr seats in the 10th and 11th legislative districts, respectively.
12th LD
In a controversial move, the Smithtown Republican Committee opted not to endorse incumbent GOP Legislator John Kennedy (R-Hauppauge) for the 12th LD, instead giving the nod to attorney Vincent Trimarco, Jr. The Democrats will be challenging with Patrick Byrne, a Nesconset native and financial planner who lost to Kennedy in a bid for this seat in 2005.
"For my constituents, I think I've done more than an adequate job," Kennedy said last week. "I think I've been a good legislator, but a bad politician ... and I question anyone who says this move was good for the party. I should be helping the [new] candidates, supporting them, but instead I have to fight for my seat."
Smithtown Republican Committee Chair Bill Ellis stated that the party withdrew its support for Kennedy following votes the legislator made on two "key" bills - one concerning loitering and illegal immigration, and the other tightening residency restrictions for convicted sex offenders. "He's alienated committee people and community groups," Ellis said.
In response, Kennedy said he did not believe "two votes out of the hundreds, if not thousands" he has cast during his time on the Legislature were the reason behind the decision. "I called the town to task when I saw questionable and imprudent development in the town," he said, specifically referring to a "four-story hotel" that was approved by Smithtown officials for construction near The Watermill. "My constituents were opposed to it ... and now the son of the attorney who represented that venture is bng endorsed [by Republicans]." He added that other issues, including pushing the town to address flooding problems in the area, led to the party's withdrawal of support.
"That's totally untrue," Ellis said of Kennedy's claims. "He's never been happy in that job [as legislator]. He even asked me if I could find him an appointment somewhere else."
"Did I express some reticence in the beginning? You bet I did," Kennedy replied. "I took a substantial salary cut, and I thought I would have more time ... It's a much different experience, but I finally reconciled with it ... If I was unhappy, why would I have screened?"
Kennedy also represents portions of and Brookhaven towns, where the legislator said Republicans have been "supportive" of him. However, ultimately, the deciding vote is made by the Smithtown committee.
Kennedy stated that he intends to primary for the Republican ticket, and also hopes to recve the Working Families Party nod, to put him on the ballot for his seat.
13th LD
In the 13th LD, Democrats will be pitting attorney William Turley, of Fort Salonga, against long-time incumbent Republican Lynne Nowick (R-Smithtown).
14th LD
Mark Gallo, who lost his bid for a seat on the Babylon Town Board last year, has been endorsed by Republicans to run against Legislator Wayne Horsley (D-Lindenhurst), the Democratic incumbent for the 14th LD who is making a bid for a second term.
15th LD
In the race for the 15th LD slot, incumbent Democrat Elie Mystal (D-Amityville) will face off against Republican Edward Brown, a member of the Babylon Town Republican Committee.
16th LD
For the 16th LD, incumbent Democrat Steven Stern (D-Huntington) recved the nomination to run for re-election to a second two-year term. As of press time, the Republicans had not announced a challenger.
17th LD
Legislator Lou D'Amaro (D-Huntington Station) has gotten the Democratic endorsement to run again for his seat in the 17th LD. While a Republican candidate had not been announced by press time, GOP leaders expect Huntington Republic Committee member Chad Lupinacci, of Huntington Station, to challenge the first-term Democrat.
18th LD
In the 18th LD, incumbent Democrat and Majority Leader Jon Cooper (D-Huntington) has recved the party's nomination for the seat. The Republicans had not chosen a challenger, as of press time.