By:Jonann Brady
'Kennedy-esque feeling' cited for primary victory over DiNapoli
Ultimately swayed by what they saw as his charisma and enthusiasm, Democratic voters rebuffed party leadership and made Glen Cove Mayor Tom Suozzi the clear choice last week to be their candidate for county executive in the November election.
In a rescheduled primary Sept. 25 and amid worries about low voter turnout that proved unfounded, Nassau County Democrats chose dark-horse contender Suozzi over Assemblyman Thomas DiNapoli, who had the party's endorsement and appeared to be the favorite going into the polling.
But Suozzi garnered 54 percent of the vote to 46 percent for DiNapoli and next will face Republican businessman Bruce Bent in the general election Nov. 6.
In interviews around Baldwin, many people said they had not paid much attention to the county executive primary. "I don't get involved in politics much. It's dirty fingers all around," said Ricardo Navas, manager of the Baldwin Coach Diner.
After the events of Sept. 11, politics was even more of an afterthought, said a number of residents. Despite this, turnout was better than expected. Twenty-four percent of registered Democrats voted in Nassau County, beating the Board of Elections' prediction of a 10 percent turnout rate.
For those who were paying attention to the race, Suozzi's upset victory was not surprising. Some said Suozzi's youthful energy and personality could restore optimism in trying times.
"In any other year, DiNapoli would have won," said Brian O'Conner, who was pouring drinks at The Irish Pub. "Suozzi won because of his enthusiasm. It's this Kennedy-esque feeling, a revival of that."
Other Baldwinites said the county is ready for a change and see Suozzi as the anti-Tom Gulotta. George Verity, a taxi driver and lifelong Baldwin resident, said, "Nothing surprises me after Gulotta. This has been a Republican town for a long time. But this is the year it might change."
Democratic Party leaders are banking on that sentiment to put the first Democrat in the county executive seat in 40 years. David Chauvin, executive director of the Nassau County Democrats, said the party was ready to unite behind Suozzi.
"This is going to be a Democratic year," Chauvin said. "This year will firmly establish two-party rule in Nassau County and put an end to machine politics."
County Legis. Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin), who faces Republican Joseph Koch for his seat on Nov. 6, said Suozzi has a great chance to beat Bent. "[Suozzi] has so much energy and drive. People are ready for a change," Scannell said.
Republicans, on the other hand, say Bent, who paints himself as a political outsider and has pledged to work for $1 a year, brings much to the table.
"Bruce Bent is clearly not a career politician but has demonstrated talents in financial areas," said Joseph Koch. "He's offering each taxpayer a chance to manage their money. He's not beholden to anyone. ... From where I sit, that's pretty refreshing."
Overwhelmingly, voters said that lifting the county out of its fiscal mire, balancing the budget and tax relief topped their list of concerns.
Dennis Meekins, a registered independent voter who was getting a haircut at the Baldwin Shopping Center, said he was waiting for Suozzi or Bent to break out with a message he liked before throwing his support behind either man.
"It'll be a good race," Meekins said. "I'm going to wait and hear what they both have to say. So far they're just saying Gulotta's no good. We already knew that."
