Spin Cycle

Businessman Frank Stalzer has approached local Republican leaders about the possibility of challenging Democratic Congressman Steve Israel this fall.

Stalzer, 50, a new Huntington resident, said he had not made a final decision about whether he will run but already spoke to Huntington GOP chairwoman Toni Tepe Tuesday, and earlier by phone with Suffolk Republican chairman Harry Withers. He expects to be intereviewed by party officials within two weeks.

“I’m a conservative pro-growth Republican,” said Stalzer, the president of the Astrex division of RAD Electronics in Plainview, a $30 million portion of the company with 65 employees that distributes of electronic components for military and defense firms.

The executive, who only moved into the town in the past year. He grew up and was a long time resident of Nassau County, but for the last several years had been a resident of Connecticut.

While in Nassau, Stalzer also said he was a Republican committeeman, but in 1995 ran as an independent with backing of local Democrats for Hempstead Supervisor against Republican Gregory Peterson. He said he got about 36 percent of the vote and raised aobut $50,000 for the race.

He said that he expects a Congressional race will cost at least $700,000 to wage a credible campaign, and is weighing with advisors whether there is enough time to raise that kind of money.

“He’s the first one out of the box,” said Withers, but expects other contenders to come forward and the party wil make no decision until after Stalzer is screened by leaders.

Meghan Dubyak, Israel’s spokeswoman, said that their office was not aware of Stalzer’s interest, and Israel has more an $1-million on hand to wage a re-election campaign. “The congressman never takes his seat for granted,” she said.

Rick Brand