Howard Weitzman, Nassau’s Democratic comptroller, on Tuesday night is holding a major fundraiser before running for re-election next year.
Weitzman, who in his second, four-year, term on the job has made his mark by crusading for consolidation of special taxing districts, said he expects more than 500 people at the $500-a-plate function at Leonard’s in Great Neck. “Altogether, I’m hoping to raise $450,000 tonight,. That will be my biggest ever fundraiser,” he said.
But Weitzman would not promise to run for re-election, saying only that he still enjoys his job and finds it challenging. “The motto in politics is ‘be prepared,’ and I just want to be ready for whatever the future holds,” he added.
Political observers have speculated that Weitzman intended to run for the county’s top post if County Executive Thomas Suozzi did not seek re-election.
Weitzman's response was: “If I got the opportunity to run for county executive, I would be flattered.”
Suozzi, along with State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli, are co-hosts of the 6 p.m. fundraiser. State Attorney General Andrew Cuomo is the scheduled keynote speaker.
--Sid Cassese