Post by onthejob on Dec 18, 2011 23:16:53 GMT -5
Jay Jacobs ponders race against Mangano
December 18, 2011 by ROBERT BRODSKY / robert.brodsky@newsday.com
Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs says he is mulling a run for county executive in 2013 if he cannot recruit a suitable candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Edward Mangano.
Jacobs, who also serves as state Democratic chairman, said his priority is to get a top-tier candidate such as Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice or former County Executive Thomas Suozzi. But, if neither steps forward, Jacobs, who has never run for elected office, could jump in.
"It is certainly something I am taking a close look at," he said. "But ambition should never drive a decision like this. It must be about the issues."
Jacobs' search for a candidate, nearly two years before voters head to polls, comes as Mangano deals with a projected $310 million budget deficit for 2012 and several challenging policy decisions, including the layoffs of county workers and the privatization of Long Island Bus. In addition, a state control board over the past year has taken over Nassau's finances.
"The Democrats are looking at an opponent, because the economy is so bad, that is politically vulnerable," said Michael Dawidziak, a Bohemia political consultant with a primarily Republican clientele.
Lawrence Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University, said it's too soon to gauge Mangano's prospects for re-election because the economy can change in the next two years.
Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said the county executive welcomes "any competition. The county executive's record speaks for itself."
It would not be unprecedented for a Nassau party chairman to run for elected office. GOP chairman Joseph Mondello held the party post while serving as Hempstead Town supervisor in the late 1980s and early 1990s. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli served as Nassau Democratic chairman before leaving the post to run unsuccessfully against Suozzi for county executive in 2001.
Levy said it's not an easy transition. "It can be done, but it's very hard."
Jacobs said if he runs, he would vacate his county and state chairmanships.
Skeptics include members of Jacobs' own party. "I think Jay would lose," said Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), who is also considering a run for county executive. "People don't like party bosses."
While no candidates have officially declared, there is no shortage of potential contenders being talked about. In addition to Rice, Suozzi and Denenberg, the list includes North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn).
Rice, the second-term district attorney, is a prolific fundraiser and would be a top contender, Dawidziak said.
Eric Phillips, an adviser to Rice's campaign and political committee, said she "is entirely focused on the job she was elected to do, not the politics of two years from now."
Dawidziak suspects candidates will need at least $2 million to challenge Mangano.
Suozzi, who served two terms as executive, has stayed out of the spotlight since his 2009 loss by Mangano and his political future remains a mystery. He declined to comment.
While Suozzi has obvious name recognition and fundraising prowess, Levy said he could be vulnerable to political attacks that his policies are responsible for the county's current fiscal woes.
Kaiman, elected in November to his fifth term as North Hempstead supervisor, has long been considered a potential challenger for executive. Kaiman said he has $400,000 in the bank from his last race.
"I will spend the next couple of months looking at whether I want to take it to the next level," he said.
Denenberg is considering a run, even if Jacobs enters the race. "The county is going in the wrong direction, so I would consider running if I thought I could win," he said.
Wink said he "has not given a great deal of thought to running" for executive.
December 18, 2011 by ROBERT BRODSKY / robert.brodsky@newsday.com
Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs says he is mulling a run for county executive in 2013 if he cannot recruit a suitable candidate to challenge incumbent Republican Edward Mangano.
Jacobs, who also serves as state Democratic chairman, said his priority is to get a top-tier candidate such as Nassau District Attorney Kathleen Rice or former County Executive Thomas Suozzi. But, if neither steps forward, Jacobs, who has never run for elected office, could jump in.
"It is certainly something I am taking a close look at," he said. "But ambition should never drive a decision like this. It must be about the issues."
Jacobs' search for a candidate, nearly two years before voters head to polls, comes as Mangano deals with a projected $310 million budget deficit for 2012 and several challenging policy decisions, including the layoffs of county workers and the privatization of Long Island Bus. In addition, a state control board over the past year has taken over Nassau's finances.
"The Democrats are looking at an opponent, because the economy is so bad, that is politically vulnerable," said Michael Dawidziak, a Bohemia political consultant with a primarily Republican clientele.
Lawrence Levy, executive dean of the National Center for Suburban Studies at Hofstra University, said it's too soon to gauge Mangano's prospects for re-election because the economy can change in the next two years.
Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said the county executive welcomes "any competition. The county executive's record speaks for itself."
It would not be unprecedented for a Nassau party chairman to run for elected office. GOP chairman Joseph Mondello held the party post while serving as Hempstead Town supervisor in the late 1980s and early 1990s. State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli served as Nassau Democratic chairman before leaving the post to run unsuccessfully against Suozzi for county executive in 2001.
Levy said it's not an easy transition. "It can be done, but it's very hard."
Jacobs said if he runs, he would vacate his county and state chairmanships.
Skeptics include members of Jacobs' own party. "I think Jay would lose," said Dave Denenberg (D-Merrick), who is also considering a run for county executive. "People don't like party bosses."
While no candidates have officially declared, there is no shortage of potential contenders being talked about. In addition to Rice, Suozzi and Denenberg, the list includes North Hempstead Town Supervisor Jon Kaiman and Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn).
Rice, the second-term district attorney, is a prolific fundraiser and would be a top contender, Dawidziak said.
Eric Phillips, an adviser to Rice's campaign and political committee, said she "is entirely focused on the job she was elected to do, not the politics of two years from now."
Dawidziak suspects candidates will need at least $2 million to challenge Mangano.
Suozzi, who served two terms as executive, has stayed out of the spotlight since his 2009 loss by Mangano and his political future remains a mystery. He declined to comment.
While Suozzi has obvious name recognition and fundraising prowess, Levy said he could be vulnerable to political attacks that his policies are responsible for the county's current fiscal woes.
Kaiman, elected in November to his fifth term as North Hempstead supervisor, has long been considered a potential challenger for executive. Kaiman said he has $400,000 in the bank from his last race.
"I will spend the next couple of months looking at whether I want to take it to the next level," he said.
Denenberg is considering a run, even if Jacobs enters the race. "The county is going in the wrong direction, so I would consider running if I thought I could win," he said.
Wink said he "has not given a great deal of thought to running" for executive.
