Spin Cycle

Suffolk Republicans added two names at the last minute on Tuesday to the list of candidates for whom party workers began circulating petitions.
Harry Withers, the county GOP chairman, said William Faulk of Ronkonkoma will run against Democratic Assemblywoman Ginny Fields and John Bugler of Oakdale will run agqainst Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington). GOP officials did not select a candidates for the two races at their convention last month.
Faulk, 29, is currently an aide to Suffolk Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches) and previously worked for former Presiding Officer Joseph Caraccappa (R-Selden) and former County Executive Robert Gaffney.
Bugler, 69, is a retired engineer for the State Department of Transportation who made a losing bid for Congress in 1990 against then-Rep. Thomas Downey (D-Amityville).
While GOP officials filled two vacancies, they still have not found a candidate to run against Assemb. Philip Ramos(R-Brentwood). Withers said petitions will go out without including the name of any candidate against Ramos -- making it less likely that the party will field a contender for the Assembly seat.

Rick Brand