Drive to replace state GOP chair Mondello lands on LI
Photo credit: AP File | New York Republican Party Chairman Joseph Mondello talks to reporters in Albany.
Chaos in Albany
Gov. David Paterson on LI and in NY
The drive to replace Nassau's Joseph Mondello as state Republican chairman has landed on Long Island, with Edward F. Cox Jr. lining up what could become crucial support in his native Suffolk from town GOP leaders.
Cox's campaign for the top post has been showing momentum. Four insiders said last night that the Manhattan lawyer, with a residence in Westhampton Beach, is preparing Thursday to announce backing from local party leaders.
The county carries nearly 10 percent of the state committee vote. Cox would need a majority to prevail. In addition, Niagara County Republican chairman Henry F. Wojtaszek has been putting his name forward for the top post and met the other day with ex-New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani.
The GOP state committee is due to convene and vote on leadership next month.
With Harry Withers stepping down soon as Suffolk GOP chairman, the cautious language of diplomacy continued Wednesday.
"Ed [Cox] votes in Suffolk County and has been instrumental and a great asset to many of the party committees in Suffolk. It isn't something that goes unnoticed," said a prominent county partisan ready to support Cox - who was quick to add: "This is not because of any ill feelings or ill thoughts or a slap in the face to chairman Mondello. It's not that at all.
"Chairman Mondello, I know, is concerned about taking back the [Nassau] legislature and maintaining a strong organization in Nassau County. At the same time, Cox would bring a fresh perspective and put his great leadership tools to work at the statewide level."
State GOP spokesman Matt Walter Wednesday signaled again that Mondello will seek another two-year term as state chairman, but didn't elaborate.
Mondello took the reins of the state party in 2006. While credited with moving it forward financially, he's faced internal criticism, especially upstate, from Republicans frustrated that their party has been shut out of every major state elected office, from both U.S. Senate seats, and from most Congressional seats amid a declining share of voter enrollment.
Even some in Mondello's camp speak well of Cox, using terms like "straight arrow." But one Long Islander warned that for Cox to succeed as chairman he would need a strong and loyal executive director to help him - someone better versed than himself in details and local dynamics.
