GOP Assemb. Al Graf set to screen for Suffolk Leg. race

Assemb. Al Graf (R-Holbrook) is taking the biggest step yet toward making a run for county legislature against freshman Democratic Legis. William Lindsay III.
 

Islip GOP officials said that Graf is scheduled to appear before the town Republican screening committee April 30 on the eighth district race. One state GOP source said that Graf has already told his local Assembly staff of his plans to run for the county legislative seat.

Republicans want to make the race a targeted battleground but until now have worried that Graf might have second thoughts at the last minute. Graf, who does not have to give up his seat to make the county race, has already screened with Conservatives for their nomination for the county legislature seat.

If Graf makes the race and wins, he would be the third state legislator to become a county lawmaker, joining fellow Republicans Tom Barraga and former Presiding Officer Lou Howard.