State and Suffolk Independence Party chairman Frank MacKay has sided with Democrats in key races in two towns — backing Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley for re-election and Islip’s Democratic town board contenders John Edwards and Gene Parrington.
MacKay, who made the move Friday, said that Foley has “made changes for the better” and that Parrington and Edwards “impressed” him as more like “civic activists than politicans.”
For Foley, who was backed by the minor party in his first supervisor race, got 2,324 votes on the Independence line in a race he won by 6,100 votes. In Islip, Parrington two years ago got 1,209 on the Independence line.
Jesse Garcia, Brookhaven GOP chairman, said that he thought his candidates “had a shot” at the line and is “disappointed” by MacKay’s decision. But even without the line, Garcia said “I’m confident in Bob DiCarlo waging a successful campaign for supervisor.” Islip GOP officials could not be immediately reached for comment.
Rick Brand
Comments (1)
FRANK MACkAY, LET'S DRAG THIS OUT and figure out who stands a better chance in November. Theo then we parade the Independence movement as the "kingmakers". Run to the frontm of the line and pretend to lead. The anti-politician pseudopolitician.