Special election for Monica Martinez's seat on Suffolk County Legislature

Suffolk Legis. Monica Martinez’s election as state senator Tuesday means a special election to fill her county legislature seat will have to be held within 90 days after she takes office Jan. 1.

Luis Montes, Islip Democratic chairman, said Sam Gonzalez of Brentwood, president of IBEW Local 1430 who ran last year for Islip Town Board, has expressed interest in the race.

Legis. DuWayne Gregory (D-Copiague), presiding officer of the Suffolk County Legislature, said he will meet with another potential contender, Renee Ortiz, former deputy legislative clerk, who heads the Center for Social Justice at Suffolk County Community College.

Angela Ramos, the wife of Assemb. Phil Ramos, who ran a primary against Martinez last year moved out of the legislative district in May and is not eligible to run.

Former Suffolk Legis. Rick Montano, who was ousted by Martinez in 2013 after a decade in the legislature, said he has not thought about running for his old seat. But his fiancee, Rafaela Vazquez, a state Democratic committee person, has been mentioned as a possible contender.

William Garbarino, Islip Republican chairman, said the party has not yet begun discussing candidates, but said the GOP will put up a contender in the special election.