Before State Sen. Craig Johnson could take his seat in Albany he had one last piece of business with his Republican opponent, County Clerk Maureen O’Connell.
State law requires that county lawmakers such as Johnson (D-Port Washington) submit resignations to the county clerk. Accordingly, Johnson wrote O’Connell on Thursday, “Please be advised that I hereby resign as county legislator” effective Friday.
Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs appreciated the irony. “It’s important to always be aware that life goes one-eighty,” Jacobs said. “Being nice is always good form to follow.”
Celeste Hadrick
Suozzi was expected to coordinate with Gov. Eliot Spitzer to set the county special election to fill Johnson’s vacant seat on the same day as a special election to replace Assemb. Thomas DiNapoli (D-Great Neck) — who was designated state comptroller on Wednesday.
Suozzi on Friday set the special election date of March 27 to fill Johnson’s former seat, and Spitzer is expected to follow suit on the DiNapoli seat.