Brookhaven GOPer Walsh screens with Dems

Unsure of her own party’s renomination, Brookhaven’s Republican town board member Kathy Walsh appeared Thursday night before a Democratic Party screening committee for possible cross-endorsement.

Several Democratic officials remained mum Friday on whether she even appeared, but Walsh, who often sides with Democratic Town Supervisor Mark Lesko, said she did go to the party’s East Setauket headquarters and answered the panel’s questions.

Walsh said party officials did not indicate whether they will give her their party’s endorsement. However, Marc Alessi, new town Democratic chairman, has praised Walsh in the past for her political independence. When Walsh was screened by the GOP earlier, she would not promise to refuse Demcoratic endorsement and balked at backing the GOP supervisor candidate, Cecile Forte.

Despite her appearance, Walsh also said she is “keeping my options open” on whether to accept Democratic backing, if offered.