Walker pledges loyalty to Mondello, county GOP

Chief Deputy Nassau Executive Rob Walker pledged loyalty to Nassau GOP chairman Joseph Mondello and the county committee Thursday at a party leaders' meeting.

His vow, in a floor speech, drew applause. It came after Mondello gave Walker a second chance to remain one of his 73 executive leaders, sources say. Mondello was unhappy with reports of Walker's big fundraising for the Hicksville Republican Committee, which he runs and which raised $800,000 since mid-2010, much of it from those with county business.

Sources said Mondello threatened to dissolve the club if Walker, who'd skipped recent leader meetings, didn't work with the county organization. "I'm interested in the welfare of this party," Mondello said later. "And I will continue to monitor the situation with him and depending on how it unfolds, will determine whether I have to take further steps." -- Celeste Hadrick