GOP expected to back Altschuler for exec

The Suffolk Republican executive committee decided Friday to offer its county executive nod to millionaire businessman Randy Altschuler but held off an announcement in hopes of avoiding a primary, party sources said.

Leaders did not make a public announcement because they want to persuade Suffolk Treasurer Angie Carpenter, the only declared candidate, not to run a threatened primary, sources said.

"The decision was made by leaders but nothing has been officially accepted, nothing has been officially offered," said one source close to the deliberations. "Discussions are happening in hopes that we can keep everybody on the same page."

John Jay LaValle, Suffolk GOP chairman, declined to comment on whether a decision had been made but said he expected a formal announcement soon.

The leaders made their decision Friday after a four-hour meeting at party headquarters in Holtsville where Assemb. Michael Fitzpatrick (R-St. James), Carpenter and Altschuler were screened before party leaders.

Fitzpatrick and Carpenter had appeared at a half-dozen screenings before GOP activists in the last month. Altschuler, who lost a race for Congress by a razor-thin margin last year, only surfaced as a candidate earlier this week when he screened before the Suffolk Conservative party.

His 20-minute screening Friday was his first with Republicans. After his appearance, Altschuler declined to comment.

Carpenter said, "I delivered my message -- I'm the best qualified candidate in the race."

Earlier, Carpenter indicated she would run a primary if she felt the process was not fair.

The leaders' meeting also took place without Carpenter's hometown Islip GOP leader, Frank Tantone, who was out of town Friday. The town GOP was represented by John Cochrane.

Sources said Cochrane told leaders Islip remained committed to Carpenter, but if there is a primary the party would provide nominating petitions for both candidates.

Altschuler has indicated he would not run if there is a primary challenge, sources said.

Republican officials privately hope that Carpenter can be persuaded to step aside because even if she wins a GOP primary she would not get Conservative Party support, crucial to any Republican candidate's chances.

Conservatives have also screened the Democrat's candidate, Steve Bellone, who has had the minor party backing for supervisor in the past.

One source also said a poll done for the county GOP shows Carpenter is known only by 41 percent of the public while Altschuler is known by 65 percent.

First-time candidate Altschuler, 40, lost last year to Rep. Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) by 593 votes. Altschuler raised $4.6 million -- $2.9 million of it his own money -- for that campaign.