GOP's Suffolk exec candidate denies any deal

Republican candidate for Suffolk county executive Jim O'Connor denied there is any political deal behind his bid to unseat Steve Bellone.

"I haven't been promised anything. More importantly, I haven't asked for anything," said O'Connor, 52, of Great River, when asked if he was interested in a seat on the bench. "I'm not looking for a judgeship. I wouldn't take it if offered."

He made the comments at a media meet-and-greet on Thursday. He also added, "That's how I feel at 52 years old. I can't tell how I'll feel when I'm 62."

O'Connor is a partner at a Manhattan law firm, Maroney O'Connor LLP, which has nine associates. His wife, Dr. Maureen Corry, is a cardiologist in West Islip.

O'Connor, a former North Hempstead Town Board member, was the surprise pick of Republicans after the party struggled to find a challenger.

With less than two months left to Election Day, O'Connor has ramped up his campaign, holding news conferences criticizing Bellone's handling of Suffolk policing and calling for further investigation of a former county information-technology director who pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges. O'Connor plans to hold another news conference this week on Suffolk's budget.