Spin cycle: On the blog for Monday, Jan. 11

Steve Levy's fledgling campaign for governor has a spokeswoman - the wife of one of the top aides in his county executive office.Rene Babich, wife of Edward Dumas, was listed last week as the contact person in the first release from the Friends of Levy, reacting to Gov. David A. Paterson's state-of-the-state message.

For now, Levy said he is not paying Babich but said that may change when "this thing starts cranking." Babich was once a reporter for Suffolk County News and later worked for Olsten Corp. and later Citicorp. Last fall she handled press for the losing Islip Council campaign of former Levy deputy Jim Morgo and Chris Bodkin.

- Rick Brand