AS Jimmy Dahroug would say, WOW

[Foley v Trunzo]

Search Newsday.com Web enhanced by Login or register Home Delivery Democrat Brian Foley may vie for Trunzo's Senateseat
BY RICK BRAND | rick.brand@newsday.com
May 13, 2008
Article tools
E-mail Share
Digg Del.icio.us Facebook Fark Google Newsvine Reddit Yahoo Print Reprints Post comment Text size: State Senate Minority Leader Malcolm Smith, escalating efforts to oust Republican Sen. Caesar Trunzo of Brentwood, showed up in Suffolk County last week to personally enlist Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley to run against the veteran 36-year lawmaker.

Smith met with Foley and Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer Friday at party headquarters in Bohemia for more than hour after Senate Democrats did a pollthat party sources say showed Foley would make a strong contender against Trunzo.

"If Brian chooses to run he would be the strongest candidate Caesar Trunzo ever faced and Caesar would be hard-pressed to hold the seat against someone of Brian's caliber," said Doug Forand, strategist for Senate Democrats.

Trunzo could not be reached for comment, but Jesse Garcia, Brookhaven Republican chairman, said, "Democrats are desperately looking for an exit strategy for thr failed, liberal supervisor."




With the help of an expected large presidential year turnout, Senate Democrats are hoping to topple the narrow two-seat GOP Senate majority and they expect as many as ght races statewide to be highly competitive. Republicans counter that Long Island needs a Senate GOP majority to protect the suburbs on issues such as school aid.

If Foley takes on Trunzo, 82, it would immediately become Long Island's hottest race and spending would easily run into the millions. Foley declined to comment, but top aide Jon Schnder said he authorized his name to be put in a poll. Foley must decide by the party's May 22 convention.

Foley, 50, a former county lawmaker, won his second two-year term as supervisor last fall, but Democrats lost control of the town board. Trunzo, who is also GOP chairman, is facing increasing strife because his party lost control of the town board last fall and critics want him to step down as leader to focus on his Senate race.

[Foley Scandal]

He wants a new job with Levy; thus, he is running for Senate to have Schaffer save face. Q E D

[Unregisteredmmmmmmmm]

And running the town is running him down. He has always been used to an easy job as legislator and is busing his butt in the Town. I hear he wants out and back into something less political and more along the lines of the simple life. Trunzo has worked hard but how manyh more years does he have left.

[Egyptian People]

Dancing in a pond;
dancing dancing
not voting for Dahroug.

[Unregistered765]

And running the town is running him down. He has always been used to an easy job as legislator and is busing his butt in the Town. I hear he wants out and back into something less political and more along the lines of the simple life. Trunzo has worked hard but how manyh more years does he have left.

I heard the GOP do not want to run Trunzo. But if Foley runs they may have to.

[Nick the Secessionist]

Brookhaven's Foley to seek state Senate seat

Foley would challenge veteran GOP Sen. Caesar Trunzo

BY RICK BRAND
rick.brand@newsday.com

6:37 PM EDT, May 22, 2008

After weeks of mulling, Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley will seek the Democratic nod Thursday night to challenge 36-year GOP state Senate veteran Caesar Trunzo in a bid to topple the Republicans' last bastion of state power.

Foley, 50, only hours before the convention called the race a "dream opportunity" and vowed to "bring a new level of energy to representing the Third Senate District."

The supervisor's entry into the contest could make the race for the Third Senate District seat the marquee local political race for all of Long Island as Senate Republicans try to hang on to the two-vote majority they've held for decades.

Republicans lambasted Foley's sudden move. "He's been a failure as town supervisor and he'll be a failure as candidate for Senate," said Jesse Garcia, Brookhaven GOP chairman. He added that Foley has been mentioned for so many other jobs, "he's failed to focus on serving the people of Brookhaven as town supervisor."

Foley dismissed the comments as the "sniping of a compromised political leader." Trunzo could not be reached for comment.

However, observers expect a multimillion-dollar battle between two unbeaten incumbents -- Foley the second generation scion of a prominent political family and Trunzo, who turned 82 just this month -- in a district that straddles the Brookhaven- border.

But both have also suffered recents setbacks -- Foley, while winning re-election last fall, lost control of the town board. Trunzo has also come under fire as town GOP leader for refusing to step down after losing the town to Democrats.

"Caesar Trunzo has been in office for decades, brought millions of dollars into the district and helped many residents over the years, making a very formidable candidate," said Philip Nolan, 's Democratic supervisor. "But the emergence of Brian Foley as a challenger will make this the toughest race Caesar has faced in a long time, maybe ever."

Doug Forand, a consultant for Senate Democrats, said they are "thrilled by Brian's decision." He "presents an extremely strong candidacy," because of his fundraisng ability, his 14 years as elected offical and his record of cleaning up the scandal-ridden town, he said.

The supervisor's decision came only hours before the Democratic county convention start time of 7 p.m. in Patchogue. His decision came after consulting with his father, former Suffolk Legis. John Foley, after whom the county's nursing hiome in Yaphank is named. Democratic sources said the elder Foley encouraged his son to make the race, even though he lost by 10,000 votes in his own run against Trunzo for state Senate in the 1982. However, sources say Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer has privately discouraged Foley from entering the race.

But because Foley's decision came so late it was unclear whether two other contenders, Suffolk Legis. Ricardo Montano (D- Central ) and Jimmy Dahroug, who has lost twice to Trunzo, would step aside for Foley.

Montano expressed concern about Foley's late move. "What does he think this is, a coronation?" he said.

Dahroug said he would remain in the race but was undecided whether to wage a floor fight at the convention. "I'm kind of confused," said Dahroug, noting Brookhaven is twice the size of the Senate district. "Why run for the state Senate when he's needed in Brookhaven? Fighting Tim Mazz and Caesar Trunzo on two different fronts makes no sense to me."
Copyright © 2008, Newsday Inc.

[Unregistered83591356]

bs bs bs bs

[The Dead]

And running the town is running him down. He has always been used to an easy job as legislator and is busing his butt in the Town. I hear he wants out and back into something less political and more along the lines of the simple life. Trunzo has worked hard but how manyh more years does he have left.

Foley is very lazy and incompetent and looking for a job where he can just do lunch and play golf.

[X Marks the Spot]

Im not so sure Foley is beating Trunzo. He is effing lazy u kn ow. Ask Marky Grossman.

[Foley Roley]

He's NOT winning but he's WHINING.