Carpenter to run for Suffolk county exec

Suffolk County Treasurer Angie Carpenter will become the first Republican to jump into the race for county executive in the wake of incumbent Steve Levy's decision not to run again.

Carpenter, 67, of West Islip, said she will declare her candidacy Wednesday at LaGrange Inn in West Islip, where she first entered politics nearly two decades ago as a contender for county legislature.

"We have a lot of talent in the Republican Party, but at the end of the day I hope I come out on top," she said. Carpenter spent 13 years as a county lawmaker and the past six as treasurer.

Even before Levy's announcement, Carpenter, who has more than $200,000 in her campaign coffers, had been contemplating running a GOP primary against the executive, a former Democrat who switched parties last year in an unsuccessful bid for governor. Levy announced Thursday that he would not seek re-election, saying "questions have been raised" about his campaign fundraising.

Other possible GOP contenders include state Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick of Smithtown, state Sen. John Flanagan of East Northport, County Clerk Judith Pascale, Legis. Edward Romaine of Center Moriches and County Comptroller Joseph Sawicki.