Maragos announces bid for county executive

Comptroller switches parties, seeks Democratic nomination

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Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos gathered with local community leaders Thursday morning in Mineola to announce his bid for county executive next year, the first candidate to formally declare a run for Republican Ed Mangano’s seat.

Maragos, 67, a Republican currently serving his second term as comptroller, is seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination and said that he submitted an application to the county’s Board of Elections on Thursday to change his party registration.

Maragos’s decision to run as a Democrat comes at a time when he said the county must restore trust in government, strengthen public safety, eliminate waste, balance the budget without borrowing, and fix a broken tax assessment system that is costing taxpayers nearly $100 million per year.

“Over time, I’ve found that my values have become more aligned with the Democratic Party,” Maragos said.

Nassau County Democratic Committee Chairman Jay Jacobs joined Maragos during his announcement outside of the Nassau County Supreme Court building, but emphasized that he would not yet endorse a candidate for county executive, saying that he expects many others to seek the seat.

Maragos’s announcement comes just days after Long Beach City Manager Jack Schnirman said that he formed an exploratory committee as he considers a bid for county executive next year. Other Democrats rumored to be interested in the seat include State Assemblyman Charles Lavine and County Legislator Laura Curran (D-Baldwin).

Jacobs said that Maragos’s decision to switch parties “is of no small consequence,” and said it comes at a “dire time” for the area.

“It’s a time for everyone to come together and bring about the change necessary to ensure our county remains on a stable financial footing and is able to move forward, rather than continue its slide backward,” Jacobs said. “It is in that vein and in that spirit that I am very proud to welcome George Maragos to the Democratic Party today.”

Though Maragos said that he has evolved on certain social issues, he stressed that he remains a fiscal conservative, which he said is crucial to remediate the county’s “significant financial challenges.”

During his time as comptroller — beginning in 2010 — Maragos has twice run for U.S. Senate as a Republican, challenging Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) that year, and Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) in 2012.

"We wish the Democrats well with the new opportunistic face of their party,” said Brian Nevin, a spokesman for Mangano. “It will certainly be interesting to see how Democrats embrace the conservative values George Marago's trumpeted in his failed campaigns against Senators Schumer and Gillibrand. With the election more than a year away, Ed Mangano continues to be focused on maintaining public safety, creating jobs, and holding the line on property taxes."

When asked whether running as a Democrat is simply opportunistic — as some of his critics may imply — Maragos stressed his decision is based solely on the issues.

“It is strictly principle,” Maragos said. “You have to go through the gauntlet and face the criticism from both sides. Believe me, it’s not going to be a joy ride, it’s not an opportunity. It’s all about public service and giving back, and putting Nassau County on the right track.”