Is Beedenbender looking to run again?

Could ex-Suffolk Legis. Brian Beedenbender be looking to run again? Elected with big help from County Executive Steve Levy, he was featured over the July Fourth weekend in anti-drunken-driving ads from the Suffolk Police Benevolent Association - unusual, since past commercials presented lawmakers and the PBA twice backed its former vice president, Legis. Tom Muratore, against Beedenbender.

But insiders say the union considers Muratore too cozy with Levy, who said: "Tom has been extremely valuable in my effort to control taxes, and that has infuriated the PBA." Noel DeGerolamo, PBA veep, denied anything political regarding Beedenbender, $107,000-a-year staff chief for Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko, adding: "Republicans should follow their own conscience" on Levy. As to running, Beedenbender called next year "a long way off." - Rick Brand