Robert Lifson has Pataki's support

Former appellate judge Robert Lifson, running a GOP primary for Huntington supervisor, last week mailed voters an endorsement letter from former Gov. George Pataki.

But John Jay LaValle, Suffolk GOP chairman, claimed Pataki told him he was "misled" into believing Lifson was the party choice. The town GOP is backing the Independence Party's Gene Cook, a councilman, for supervisor. David Catalfamo, Pataki's spokesman said, "The governor endorsed Lifson and stands by it." Pataki's letter hailed Lifson as a winning former GOP leader.

"It's a desperate attempt to deflect from the reality that my opponent opts to associate with a party that often endorses liberal Democrats," Lifson said. LaValle stood by his Pataki claim. "I'd put my hand on a stack of Bibles," he said.-- Rick Brand