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GOP anxious as Sen. Johnson, 81, gets sick

March 12, 2011 8:34 PM By RICK BRAND rick.brand@newsday.com

The nine Republican state senators from Long Island.

Photo credit: J. Condrad Williams Jr. | The nine Republican state senators from Long Island.

Rick Brand

Portrait of Newsday reporter Rick Brand taken on Rick Brand

Rick Brand is a longtime Newsday reporter who writes about

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Joe Saladino, Brian Curran, Dean Skelos, and Thomas Nassau Republicans

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Dean Skelos Skelos, 62, of Rockville Center, is LI's 9 Republican state senators

When veteran Republican state Sen. Owen Johnson coughs, the entire GOP Senate majority collectively covers their mouths -- with anxiety.

That was never more apparent than about a week ago when Johnson (R-West Babylon) missed a vote on state Sen. John Flanagan's controversial bill on teacher seniority.

"He got a little sick, the rumors start flying and everyone freaks out," said John...

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