Dems prepare to endorse Czygier for judge

Although no cross-endorsement deal has been reached, Suffolk Democrats began circulating nominating petitions last week bearing the name of Republican Surrogate's Court Judge John Czygier.

If a deal is not ironed out with Republicans -- giving Democrat Richard Ambro the GOP nod for county court -- party sources say Democrats will circulate a new set of petitions for Surrogate's Court judge, bearing Democratic state Supreme Court Justice William Rebolini's name.

The Surrogate's Court judge controls significant patronage, assigning lawyers work involving the estates of people who die without leaving wills.-- Rick Brand