News

County legislator tapped for Assembly

Daniel Losquadro

After much speculation, county Legislator Dan Losquadro was officially given the GOP nod to run against Democratic incumbent state Assemblyman Marc Alessi at the party’s convention last week in Islandia.

Mr. Losquadro, who at times played coy over the prospect of running, said he decided to throw his hat into the 1st Assembly District race out of frustration with the way Albany is treating Long Islanders. If elected, he said, he would work towards improving the state aid formula so Long Island schools get their fair share of funds.

“I’ve been frustrated with the type of representation that we’ve had lately” said Mr. Losquadro, of Shoreham.

Mr. Alessi, also Shoreham resident, appeared unmoved by the challenge.

“In all the races that I’ve run for the Assembly, I have really never focused on my opponent,” Mr. Alessi later said. “I usually just focus on my job. The people in my community know I give this job 110 percent.”

Mr. Alessi was first elected in 2005 after defeating longtime county Legislator Michael Caracciolo, a Republican from Baiting Hollow, during a special election for the vacated seat. The district stretches from Mount Sinai to Orient.

Assistant Brookhaven Town Attorney Raymond Negron, who expressed interest in the race last month after coming back from prosecuting Guantðnamo Bay detainees, said he would not seek to run in a primary against Mr. Losquadro.

“Daniel Losquadro is a great representative whom I’ve supported since his very first campaign,” Mr, Negron said. “I think the community is better served if I put my support behind him.”

Suffolk County Democratic Committee chairman Rich Schaffer said it wouldn’t make a difference who the GOP backs in November’s race.

“I think it doesn’t matter who they run against [Marc Alessi],” Mr. Schaffer said. “Marc has proved to be a full-time assemblyman. He works very hard, not only in the Assembly, but in the district. He’s on top of just about any issue locally.”

DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION THURSDAY

Mr. Schaffer said he expects the assemblyman, along with other incumbents, such as Congressman Tim Bishop of Southampton and state Senator Brian Foley of Blue Point, to be renominated at the committee’s convention Thursday, May 20. During the convention, which will be held at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers’ Union Hall in Brentwood, Mr. Schaffer said he expects New Suffolk resident Regina Calcaterra, formerly of Coram, to get tapped in her bid against Sen. Kenneth LaValle.

Republican turned Independent state Assemblyman Fred Thiele of Sag Harbor will likely receive the Democrats’ nomination. Mr. Thiele’s former party has named Richard Blumenthal of Westhampton Beach to run for his seat. Rob Calarco, an aide to Suffolk Legis. Jack Eddington, will likely run as a Democrat against state Assemblyman Dean Murray, a Republican elected in March during a special election.

[email protected]