Suffolk Democrats Nominate Bellone, Announce Legislative Candidates

Making the unofficial official, the Suffolk County Democratic Committee nominated Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone for county executive on Wednesday night at its nominating convention, where it also announced nominations for nearly all of its upcoming legislative races.

Before a crowd of close to 300 at the Local 25 IBEW headquarters in Hauppauge, Chairman Richard Schaffer introduced the party's nominees for all legislative districts except two, for which no candidates had been chosen.

Bellone's nomination was introduced and seconded by Babylon colleagues Tony Martinez, Babylon councilman and Babylon Committee Chairman Bob Strickoff. 

Bellone, who has so far avoided calling County Executive Steve Levy by name in his speeches, said, "The thing I'm looking to most is seeing what we can do with a leader who knows how to cooperate  … We will not govern by press release."

The 41-year-old highlighted his accomplishments in Babylon specifically regarding parks, the environment and economic revitalization, noting from the start that Babylon saw a 5 percent tax cut in 2011.

Bellone called his dedication to parks  — recalling that over 2 million daffodil bulbs have been planted in the past five years  —  as an "economic development tool."

"I have realtors coming up to me and saying 'Thank you,'" Bellone said. "They've told me the first thing they do when they show a house in the neighborhood is they take them to the park.  That means more people want to stay in your community and more people want to move which means higher property values for everyone. "

He said by making government efficient and effective, he would pledge to "go to the taxpayers last."

"We try to do what makes sense," Bellone said. "It's not ideological. It's not partisan. It's about solving problems."

The Suffolk County Republican Committee is scheduled to meet next Wednesday for its nominating convention.

The following Democratic candidates were nominated for Suffolk County Legislature races: 

1 – Trish Chiaramonte

2 – Jay Schneiderman

3 – Kate Browning

4 – Joe Tudki

5 – Kara Hahn

6 – Sarah Anker

7 – Rob Calarco

8 – Bill Lindsey

9 – Rick Montano

12 – Marty Amonte

13 – Allen Huggins

14 – Wayne Horsley

15 – DuWayne Gregory

16 – Steve Stern

17 – Lou D’Amaro

18 – William Spencer