Brookhaven Conservative co-leader seen moving against county chair

While Suffolk Republicans and Conservatives are warring, Kenneth Auerbach, co-leader of the Brookhaven Conservative Committee, is also in the trenches against Suffolk Conservative chairman Edward Walsh.

Auerbach last week filed registration forms for about 400 new Conservative voters at the Suffolk Board of Elections, a move widely seen as an attempt to gird for a future leadership battle.

While officially town party co-leader, Auerbach and his fellow co-leader Frank Profeta last year were stripped of the power to name their own candidates to town races. The power now rests with the Suffolk Conservative Committee.

Profeta also filed a Freedom of Information Act request to get copies of the party’s nominating petitions for county executive, Brookhaven district court judge and the Second Legislative District where the party circulated petitions for Amos Goodman, whom they later declined to back.

Mike Torres, county party secretary, said county Conservatives filed forms for more than 200 new voters themselves and questioned the number filed by foes. He acknowledged a future fight for leadership is likely, but added, “It will be a failed attempt.”