George Maragos: I want to get back into Democrats’ good graces
Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos. Credit: James Escher
Outgoing Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos is striking a conciliatory note after his bruising feud with County Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs earlier this year.
Maragos, who left the GOP in 2016 to run for county executive as a Democrat, was bypassed by Jacobs in favor of Nassau County Legis. Laura Curran, now the county executive-elect.
He and Jacobs spent months attacking each other’s ethics and integrity, with Maragos running as an outsider against “party boss” rule.
Curran easily defeated Maragos in the September primary.
In an interview last week, Maragos, who is wrapping eight years as comptroller, said he intended to remain an active Democrat and did not rule out future political runs.
He said he has taken steps to return to the party’s good graces. He attended the Democrats’ fall gala, contributed $2,500 to Curran’s campaign this month and offered congratulations to Curran and Jacobs on their victory.
“I intend to mend that relationship,” said Maragos.
Jacobs said he “wasn’t happy with some of the negativity in the primary. “But that being said, politics is a rough and tumble sport, and we have to let bygones be bygones and get the help from everyone genuinely willing to give it.”
Paul LaRocco is a reporter on the investigations desk. Since starting at Newsday in late 2010, he has also covered Nassau and Suffolk county politics and government and the Town of Oyster Bay.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
