In the Running

Our live Spin Cycle blog will carry updates from the GOP convention. newsday.com/politics A13 In the GOP meeting running Delegates to the state Republican Convention in Charles Schumer and Kirsten Gillibrand. and Gary Berntsen, aformer CIA agent GOPticket, including Nassau’s Peter King Manhattan will nominate Gillibrand, appointed to succeedHillary from Smithtown. Political consultant Jay running for state attorney general, were candidates for six state- Rodham Clinton,once was seen as an easy Townsend prevailed at the Conservative trounced. Four years later, Cuomo clob- wide offices. mark. But GOP luminaries have declined to convention. bered unknown Pierre Rinfret. Then Pataki Here are some of the challenge her, so convention delegates are Asked about the field, GOP state chair- upset Cuomo in 1994 and Republicans occu- declared candidates: left to judge three virtual unknowns. They manEdward Cox said, “George Pataki was pied the Executive Mansion for 12 years. are Bruce Blakeman, the former Nassau an unknown goinginto the 1994 convention If Republicans want to regain atoehold Governor County legislative chief; former Rep.Jo- ...and he beat the very well-known, three- in state government, Marist College poll- Ⅲ Rick Lazio, former con- seph DioGuardi of Westchester, who land- term governor,Mario Cuomo.” ster Lee M. Miringoffsaid, they must di- gressman from Suffolk* ed the Conservative nomination, and econo- Cox also said the expected primaries rect widespread voter dissatisfaction to- Ⅲ Steve Levy, Suffolk mist David Malpass. All likely will be would raise recognition of the candidates. ward Democratic gubernatorial nominee County Executive placed on the primary ballot, experts said. Republicans have had mixed results Andrew Cuomo, the current attorney gen- Ⅲ M. Myers Mermel, Man- Those vying to unseat Schumer also from fractious conventions and primaries, eral. “Democratic candidates are leading hattan real estate executive aren’t well known. Two are from Long Is- however. in all the races. ...Republicans have to Ⅲ Carl Paladino, Buffalo land:Nassau Comptroller George Maragos In 1986, the three non-incumbents on the change the dynamic.” real estate developer Ⅲ Warren Redlich, Albany- area attorney** Amaverick tax hawk with uncanny political sense, Lt. Governor*** Ⅲ Greg Edwards, Chautau- LEVY critics don’t like his hard-nosed immigration stance qua County Executive* Attorney General BY ELIZABETH MOORE term when he and other law- Ⅲ Dan Donovan, Staten [email protected] makers sued the county over a Island District Attorney* budget that violated aspending Ⅲ Bob Antonacci, Ononda- Here on Long Island, Suffolk cap, winning a$33.2 million re- ga County Comptroller County Executive Steve Levy’s bate. sensitivity to his constituents is “He was the beginning of a so legendary it comes close to a new breed” of Democrats, who State Comptroller punch line. “looked at fiscal issues more Ⅲ Harry Wilson, former As acounty legislator, he once conservatively,” said Paul Saba- hedge fund manager from phoned alocal Burger King to tino, the former counsel to the Scarsdale* raise concerns about how it was Legislature and aonetime ally ERNAN bagging its French fries. TI and senior aide to Levy. “He U.S. Senate As astate assemblyman, he C. was adecade ahead.” (Full six-year term vs. pushed in vain for “Proud to be incumbent Democrat an American” license plates UDREY Voted against pay raises Charles Schumer) /A and alaw to require state Levy cast votes against pay Ⅲ Gary Berntsen, former phone systems to include an op- increases,but for term limits PHOTO CIA officer, author and tion to talk to alive person. and easing citizen referendum Smithtown native And as county executive, rules;for budget cuts, and pe- Ⅲ George Maragos, Nas- WSDAY Levy keeps the local TV news NE rennially, fortightening con- sau County Comptroller on in his office at all times, Steve Levy: His actions grandstanding or showing independence? trols on county cars. But the Ⅲ Jim Staudenraus, small tracking how his administra- centerpiece was his 10-year business owner from Shel- tion is being covered, ever camps. Alongtime ally of the “It’salmost like he’s geneti- fightfor public financing of ter Island ready to pick up the phone. good-government lobby and ad- callyhard-wired to receive sig- county elections, aversion of Ⅲ Jay Townsend, political “Ican’t tell you how many versary of the police union, nals —particularly from subur- which won passage through a consultant from Cornwall- www.newsday.com false or inaccurate reports there Levy has catered devotedly to ban voters. He’s like awalking public referendum, but was on-Hudson* are during the course of the volunteer firefighters, the elder- political antenna, for good or later repealed. day,” Levy said. “...Ifwe’re ly, veterans and the “little guy.” ill,” Horner said. As anew Assembly member, U.S. Senate not getting our word out to the He made apersonal quest of Walking, literally, is Levy’s “he was up on the floor talking (two-year term vs. incum- public as to what we’re seeking fighting illegal immigration in signature move. Elected to the right away,” Horner said. “He bent Democrat Kirsten to do, we’regoing to lose.” Suffolk, alonely stand for a Suffolk legislature at 26 in adis- was veryaggressive in getting Gillibrand) In the run-up to the Republi- Democrat, but one that also re- trict with a2-1 Republican edge billsintroduced.” Ⅲ Bruce Blakeman, former NEWSDAY, can nominating convention flected public opinion. by dint of diligent canvassing, How close was Levy to Silver? presiding officer of Nassau today and the Conservatives’ Levy kept it up for 18 years; “If Steve Levy’s aShelly Sil- County Legislature lastFriday, Levy’s rival Rick Critics vs. admirers what he heard at those door- ver Democrat, thenI’m aShelly Ⅲ Joseph DioGuardi, Lazio has sought to frame him Critics call it all grandstand- steps in Sayville, Holbrook and Silver Republican,” said An- former congressman from as atax-and-spend “Shelly Sil- ing; admirers,independence. Ronkonkoma formed his creed. drew Raia (R-Huntington Sta- Westchester County* TUESDAY, ver liberal,” whose recent “He had auniquely keen un- “Taxes, taxes, taxes,” he re- tion), explainingthat most As- Ⅲ David Malpass, economist switch from Democrat to Repub- derstanding of where voters called. “Theyfelt the elected sembly billspass unanimously. lican was pure opportunism. were at on an issue,” said Blair class didn’tget it —and they ANewsday analysis of Levy’s NOTES: *Received the Conserva- But Levy’s record over 25 Horner,legislative director of were right. ... All the pro- votes shows that in 2003, Levy tive Party nomination; **Redlich JUNE years in elected office is that of the New YorkPublic Interest grams in the world don’t mean voted with Silver 91.7 percent of already has the Libertarian Party nomination; ***Levy, Mermel and 1, amaverick tax hawk who’s Research Group, who has anything if youcan’t afford to the time, but still positioned him- Paladino have yet to announce their 2010 most at home midway between worked with Levy on several re- live here.” lieutenant governor running mates the Democratic and Republican form measures over the years. Levy was serving his first See LEVY on A14 A14 CAMPAIGN 2010 : STATEREPUBLICAN CONVENTION Levy faces The Levy file Lazio back The Lazio file PEPPLER IM crucial test /J in arena LEVY from A13 PHOTO LAZIO from A12 2000 self halfway between the Democrats and FILE challenging then-Rep. Thomas J. Republicans. He wasmore sympathetic Downey, aDemocrat first elected in PHOTO, WSDAY to Republicans when it came to rules, NE 1974. But Downey, afavorite of national FILE bucking Silver on six bills to equalize Suffolk County Executive Democrats such as Al Gore, was AP their privileges. Steve Levy plagued by arecession and wound up Former Suffolk County legislator Last year, Democrats voted with Silver losing his 1992 race against Lazio in a Rick Lazio 97.5 percent of the time, and the Republi- Ⅲ 1985-2000 Won office as Suf- big upset. “Ididn’t think I’d lose to him cans 84 percent, according to NYPIRG, folk County legislator at age 26 as a and didn’t think he was astrong candi- Ⅲ 1985 Becomes aSuffolk which calls this pattern typical. Democrat representing Sayville, date,” Downey recalled. assistant district attorney, work- Levy also parted with Silver by rou- Ronkonkoma and Holbrook. Sued In Congress, Lazio championedcaus- ing on criminal cases involving tinely opposing any expansion of bind- the county when it pierced a4 es including the fight against breast can- rape, organized crime and cor- ing arbitration for law enforcement percent cap on spending increases; cer and improvements in care for the ruption; also serves as atop unions, at times casting the sole “no” won a$33-million refund. Backed a disabled, and became assistant majority administrator and office spokes- vote. He opposed new library districts, 1989 budget that raised county leader in the House. Most notably, man. wireless surcharges and anything ex- taxes 40 to 50 percent. Fought for Lazio wound up on the House Banking Ⅲ 1989 Wins elective office as pandinggovernment taxing power, in- public financing of elections. and Financial Services Committee, help- aSuffolk County legislator from cludingroutine sales tax extensions — Ⅲ 2001-03 State assemblyman, ing to push through arepeal of the De- Brightwaters. evenone for Suffolk County. 5th District. Often voted with Re- pression-era Glass Steagall Act,result- Ⅲ 1992 Elected to Congress, When then-Gov. George Pataki and the publicans and sponsored about 100 ing in the removalofmany protections beating 18-year Democratic Republican Senate threw their support measures. Regularly voted no on between commercial and investment incumbent Thomas Downey. behind aconstitutional amendment to new library districts, police arbitra- banks. Serves on House Banking Com- give voters the power of initiative and ref- tion, wireless surcharges. Joined a mittee. erendum, its prime Assembly sponsor bipartisan majority to override Gov.

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