Angry Democrats demand Levy contributions back

Inside Steve Levy's $4 million political war chest is Sherry Pavone's $150 and she wants it back.

At a rally outside Levy's Hauppauge office Wednesday, the retired New York City police officer joined about 50 people - most of them Democratic Party officials - who protested Levy's use of campaign money he collected over the years as a Democrat to run as a Republican.

Levy switched his party affiliation in March and is vying for the Republican nomination against former Long Island Rep. Rick Lazio and Buffalo businessman Carl Paladino.

"I was outraged and disappointed," said Pavone, of Northport, who drew her demand for a refund on a white placard. "The concept of him becoming a Republican is outrageous. That he is using my money, in effect, against the Democrats is outrageous."

But Levy and Suffolk County GOP chairman John Jay LaValle called the rally a sign that Levy has the best chance to win against presumed Democratic gubernatorial candidate state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo.

"Voters on both sides of the political aisle have supported me because of my campaign platform to control spending and taxes," Levy said.

"This is further evidence that the Democrat party is most fearful of a Levy candidacy," said LaValle.

The position of the politically active Democrats gathered for the rally, however, is far from universal. Levy always has had a measure of maverick appeal for some segments of the electorate, and several donors contacted in recent weeks said they didn't want a refund.

Vincent Polimeni, a Garden City developer who has sought to build a tunnel under Long Island Sound, made a personal contribution to Levy of $10,000 in 2006.

"I didn't support him because of the party that he is in," Polimeni said, "but because of the man he is."

But for those who want Levy to return their donations, the Democrats have set up a website: levypayusback.com. Levy has said he does not intend to return the money.

Levy's successful fundraising is a critical part of his appeal to Republicans since his highly publicized defection from the Democratic Party in mid-March.

With Sandra Peddie