Former prosecutor seeks NY Senate seat

Southampton Councilwoman Bridget Fleming announced plans Thursday to run for the First District seat held by longtime state Sen. Kenneth P. LaValle.

But first she will have to face fellow Democrat Jennifer Maertz in a primary.

Maertz, of Rocky Point, announced her candidacy in February. She lost a bid for the State Senate in 2010.

Fleming, a Noyack resident who has been a Southampton councilwoman for two years, is a former Manhattan assistant district attorney.

"Suffolk County is ready for fresh new leadership in the New York State Senate," Fleming said in a video statement on her newly launched website. "If we want to break from the scandal and dysfunction that has gripped Albany for years, we need to elect new representation here at home."

LaValle, a Port Jefferson resident who runs on the Republican, Conservative and Independent lines, was elected to the Senate in 1976 and was instrumental in the legislation that protects the pine barrens.

Maertz, an insurance litigation and trial attorney, said she wants to see more money come back to Suffolk from the state, adding that Long Island effectively is subsidizing other regions, especially New York City with the MTA payroll tax, as well as areas upstate. "I was clear then as I am now," Maertz said. "I would not have supported a payroll tax."

A representative from LaValle's office said the senator declined to comment on Fleming's announcement.

"He has received overwhelming support from his constituents due to his effectiveness in meeting the needs of local residents and diverse groups throughout the district," Republican spokesman Scott Reif said.

With Yancey Roy