Long-shot Republican district court primary challenger Jennifer Henry, daughter of former District Attorney Patrick Henry, has become the favorite in the Islip race -- because Democrats have given her a third ballot line.
“Anyone who gets 700 signatures herself is pretty impressive in my book,” said Richard Schaffer, who on Thursday substituted the Brightwaters lawyer for Jerome McAvoy, who dropped out earlier in the week.
Henry surfaced as a surprise candidate last month and filed 3,700 signatures to get on the GOP primary ballot against 17-year District Court Judge Hertha Trotto and Suffolk Legis. Cameron Alden (R-Islip), who is term-limited and cannot seek re-election as a lawmaker in 2009.
Conservative Party chairman Edward Walsh backed Henry from the outset and Frank MacKay, Independence Party leader, gave her his party line this week. “They recognize a great jurist when they see one,” he said.
Henry also has a chance for a fourth ballot line, objecting to the 2,200 signatures filed by Islip Republicans, only 200 over the minimum, for the GOP primary Sept. 9. Sources say Henry backers are expected to file specific objections to more than 450 party signatures next week. Trotto, meanwhile, has filed petitions to run in a Conservative primary against both Henry and Alden.
Harry Withers, Suffolk Republican chairman, said he doesn’t blame Henry for seeking the line, saying “candidates naturally want any line they can get.” However, he added, “If I were a Democrat I’d be disappointed.”
However, MacKay said his party will give its line to the other Democratici district court judge candidate William Ford of Brentwood. Party sources also said the Demcorats' endorsement of Henry could pave the way for and agremenet with the minor parties next year when three Republican Dstrict Court Judges -- Stephen Behar, Steven Lotto and Patricia Filiberto, all opposed in the past by Walsh, come up for re-election. A likely Democratic contender, the sources say, might be Michael Kennedy, who had Conservative backing in the past.
Rick Brand
Comments (5)
Good for Richie Shaffer, right up the GOP's keister. Good for Eddie Walsh, all of those Judges are lazy and think the tax payers owe them a living.
Someone get Rick Brand a spell checker.
What a suprise, Eddie Walsh is again ignoring the Conservative principles, and is lying in bed with the Dems.
BOB DOLE..........this particular situation does not indicate a lack of Conservative principles. In Suffolk County the GOP has no principles or direction. Many times support from the Conservatives is the result of the lesser of the anti Conservative rhetoric. This is not one of them.
ELAINE LEIRER...It is a lack of Conservative principles. Over Eddie Walsh's term as leader, he has made deal after deal with Schaffer and the dems compromising true Conservative principles.