A former North Hempstead town councilman has joined a State Assembly race against current and former town officials, paving the way for a potential Democratic primary to succeed Assemb. Michelle Schimel (D-Port Washington).

Anthony D’Urso, 76, of Port Washington, said Wednesday he was running for Schimel’s seat.

“I wanted to run because I think I can continue to serve the people with my record of accomplishment in the administrative end of government and the legislative,” D’Urso said in an interview.

D’Urso was a councilman from 1991 through 2005. He is a former assistant commissioner of New York City’s Division of Architecture Engineering and Construction for the Department of Housing Preservation and Development.

The town’s former Public Safety Commissioner Andrew DeMartin, 50, of Great Neck, resigned from his $118,000-a-year job in January to run for the seat. Nick Guariglia, 31, of Port Washington and deputy chief of staff to Supervisor Judi Bosworth, also is running for the seat.

John Ryan, North Hempstead Democratic Committee chairman, said he hoped to avoid a primary and would meet with all of the candidates for the seat Schimel has held since 2007..

“It’s confusing, but it’s wonderful you have all these people wanting it,” Ryan said in an interview Wednesday.

An executive committee of the party would meet with all of the potential candidates by the end of the month, or in early May, Ryan said.

D’Urso said he has traveled overseas post-retirement, including to Haiti where he worked with orphans after the 2010 earthquake, and to Nicaragua, where he worked to build schools. He said he would advocate for efforts to protect Long Island’s aquifers and stop saltwater intrusion into the water supply.

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

MacArthur LIRR connection ... Pink poping up in Farmingdale ... Fitness Fix: Deer Park Athletic Club ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV Credit: Newsday

MacArthur LIRR connection ... Pink poping up in Farmingdale ... Fitness Fix: Deer Park Athletic Club ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV

FLASH SALE

$1 FOR ONE YEAR

Unlimited Digital Access

SUBSCRIBE NOW >>Cancel anytime - new subscribers only