Suffolk GOP to screen 1st Congressional District contenders

Suffolk Conservatives are set to screen the crowded 1st Congressional District field Monday night. But one GOP contender, George Demos, complained the minor party was "inexplicably" preparing to endorse rival Randy Altschuler. Demos called Altschuler a "pro-choice, outsourcing proponent" and former member of the Green Party, which embraces "radical Marxist ideologies."

Rob Ryan, an Altschuler consultant, said Suffolk chairman Ed Walsh and state chairman Michael Long will reject the claims because "they know Randy Altschuler is a conservative."

Sources say Long pressed Walsh last month to back Altschuler as Walsh tried to get Long to back County Executive Steve Levy for governor. Walsh said he hadn't decided whom to support for Congress. (More at newsday.com/spincycle.)

- Rick Brand