Schumer endorses Bellone for Suffolk exec
Sen. Chuck Schumer and Babylon Supervisor Steve Bellone meet and greet with the residents at the assisted living center. Schumer endorsed Babylon Bellone for county executive at the Atria Senior Assisted Living Center in Huntington Station. (Oct. 21, 2011) Credit: Steve Pfost
Sen. Charles Schumer endorsed Democrat Steve Bellone's candidacy for Suffolk County executive Friday, saying the Babylon Town supervisor "lives and breathes his job 24/7," and "will make government serve the people better."
Schumer, a Democrat, endorsed Bellone at Atria Senior Living Center in Huntington Station at a noon news conference, after which both worked the crowd of 100 seniors. Schumer's endorsement came several weeks after Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo backed Bellone at the county Democrats' fall fundraiser.
"This is not just another endorsement," said Schumer, noting he has known Bellone since the 1990s when the latter was a town council member. He said Bellone has proposed initiatives such as Wyandanch Rising, a revitalization project, and innovation zones that would offer low tax rates to high-tech firms.
John Jay LaValle, Suffolk Republican chairman, dismissed Schumer's endorsement. "I don't think it means anything at all," said LaValle, who is backing Republican county treasurer Angie Carpenter for county executive. "There's no transferability of popularity."
Rick Brand
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