Gaughran to be Dems' pick for county comptroller

After last-minute infighting, Democrats are set to make Suffolk County Water Authority chairman James Gaughran their nominee for county comptroller, party officials said.

Legislators Jay Schneiderman (I-Montauk) and Louis D'Amaro (D-North Babylon) were weighing a run. D'Amaro even considered a primary against Gaughran, whom county Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer supports. Schaffer said both backed off after talking Friday with County Executive Steve Bellone. After first expressing worry about Gaughran's electability, Bellone became convinced that "the most important thing is to unite behind one candidate," Schaffer said. The GOP is running its county chairman, John Jay LaValle, for the post.-- Rick Brand