Voters head to polls Tuesday in local races

Voters across Long Island go to the polls Tuesday to elect Suffolk's first new county executive in eight years and decide control of each county legislature and many town boards.

The marquee race is in Suffolk, where Democrat Steve Bellone and Republican Angie Carpenter are seeking to succeed County Executive Steve Levy, a Republican. He bowed out in April, and agreed to turn over to the district attorney his $4-million campaign fund, after prosecutors raised questions about his campaign finances.

Bellone, Babylon's town supervisor, and Carpenter, the county treasurer, have campaigned for months on platforms of streamlining government and creating more private-sector jobs.

A total of 160 elected offices at the county and town level -- from local tax receivers to state Supreme Court justices -- also are up for grabs.

In Nassau, the county legislature's balance of power is at stake as lawmakers and County Executive Edward Mangano grapple with a budget gap estimated at more than $300 million. Republicans now have an 11-8 majority and all 19 seats are up for election.

The GOP has focused on several districts now held by Democrats, including the 5th, where GOP candidate Christian Browne faces Legis. Joseph Scannell (D-Baldwin), and the 18th, where Democrat Delia DeRiggi-Whitton is running against Republican Robert Germino Jr. for the seat held by Democratic Minority Leader Diane Yatauro, who is not seeking re-election.

Democrats have concentrated on districts including the 3rd, where Democrat Carrie Solages is challenging Legis. John Ciotti (R-North Valley Stream), the 7th, where Republican Howard Kopel (R-Lawrence) faces Democrat Adam Moser, and the 14th, where Legis. Joseph Belesi (R-Farmingdale) is running against Democrat Eva Pearson.

In Suffolk, Democrats and minor party allies have a 12-6 majority in the county legislature. Two Democratic incumbents, Legis. Vivian Viloria-Fisher in the 5th District and Legis. Jon Cooper in the 18th, are term-limited, while Legis. Jack Eddington is not seeking re-election in the 7th.

All three town supervisors in Nassau County, along with portions of their town boards, will be elected, as will Glen Cove's mayor and city council.

In Suffolk, seven of the 10 town supervisors are up for election and so are numerous town board seats. Islandwide, there are 10 14-year-term state Supreme Court seats at stake.

With Rick Brand

ELECTION DAY INFO

Polls will be open Tuesday from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in races for local offices across Long Island. Residents seeking information about their voting status or polling place, or who have other questions, may call their county board of election -- in Suffolk at 631-852-4500, or in Nassau at 516-571-2411.