GOP ponders backing Dems' judge pick

Suffolk Republicans are considering nominating Brookhaven's Democratic highway superintendent, John Rouse, for county court judge, as a way to open up the patronage-rich highway post in a special election early next year, high-level party sources said.

Rouse, cross-endorsed by Republicans last year, could run on the GOP line for the County Court seat of the Independence Party's James F.X. Doyle, who reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 this year. What makes the proposed move unusual is that Republicans would nominate Rouse with no cross-endorsement from Democrats. Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, said he's aware Brookhaven GOP leader Jesse Garcia is pushing the scenario but Republicans haven't discussed endorsements with him. "My only question is whether my committee would be in favor of Republicans selecting who Democrats should . . . endorse," he said.-- Rick Brand