Brian Muellers, ex-Democratic Nassau lawmaker, eyes run for Huntington supervisor

Former Democratic Nassau Legis. Brian Muellers, who for over a decade has lived in Huntington, is looking to run for town supervisor to succeed retiring incumbent Frank Petrone.

Muellers, 53, who lives in South Huntington, said he has screened with the Huntington Democratic committee, sent paperwork to Albany to file a campaign committee and has been campaigning in neighborhoods over the last three weeks.

“I have business experience, results as a county legislator and the proven ability to win a very challenging election,” said Muellers, who served two terms as a Nassau legislator. He said he received a “very positive response” during his hourlong screening last week.

Mary Collins, Huntington Democratic chairwoman, could not be reached for immediate comment.

Petrone has said he hopes one of his fellow town board members would become the supervisor candidate, and Democratic town board member Tracey Edwards is considered a leading contender.

Among possible Republican contenders are town board member Gene Cook, of Greenlawn, and Assemb. Chad Lupinacci, of South Huntington.

Muellers worked for three decades for Pall Corp., where he was general manager and president of one of its units, until the Port Washintgton filtration company was sold in 2015.

Muellers was in the process of forming a consulting firm but decided to put that on hold to pursue the supervisor’s race.

Muellers, then of Glen Cove, won an upset victory for Nassau County Legislature in 1999 against GOP incumbent John Canning, which helped Democrats take the legislative majority. Muellers was in office until 2003.

Muellers moved to Huntington Station in 2006. Last year, he served as an issues adviser to former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi’s successful congressional campaign.

Muellers said his biggest accomplishment as a Nassau lawmaker was as a sponsor of a bill banning smoking in workplaces, including bars and restaurants, that passed in 2002. “I’m very proud of that because it saved lives,” he said.