2 Dems running for North Hempstead town clerk

The North Hempstead Town clerk race is set: two Democrats -- one running on the GOP ticket -- will vie for the post in November.

Town Democrats said late Thursday that Nassau County Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) will challenge six-year incumbent Leslie Gross, a Democrat who said Wednesday that she was joining the GOP slate.

"I have witnessed so much of what government can do, both good and bad, unfortunately, when it comes to dealing with the county as well as dealing with the town. I believe I bring that experience," Wink said.

On Wednesday, Wink dropped out of the race for Nassau comptroller. His legislative seat was redistricted by Nassau Republicans in March.

"It sounds like he doesn't know what the right career move is for himself," Gross said Thursday. "I think it may just be a consolation prize. I don't think he's in control of his own destiny and he's just taking this because it's the position that is now open."

Gross -- who joins Dina De Giorgio, the GOP councilwoman from Port Washington, on the slate -- will remain a Democrat. Regarding Wink's decision, De Giorgio agreed with Gross. "It seems like everybody in the Democratic Party is angling for the best deal he can get."

Gross' base pay last year as clerk was $95,000. Nassau County legislators make $39,500.

"I'm not going to, at this point, stand and compare my experience to Leslie Gross,'' Wink said, "but I'm certainly prepared to put my experience out there and allow the voters to decide."

The switch, Gross said, was set in motion amid uncertainty about her position on the Democrats' slate. For an April Newsday article, a spokesman for the town Democrats declined to comment about whom it would run for clerk, but identified other Democrats on the party's slate. "That was a defining moment, my first indication of what was going on," Gross said. "I didn't want to wait around to find what that meant."

North Hempstead -- and the town board -- is largely Democratic.

"We're forming a coalition to show the government that bipartisanship can work," said Gross, who was elected in 2007 and 2009 and has a campaign chest worth $18,576.68, according to January filings. Wink has $60,784.38.

Gross was appointed town clerk in 2007, succeeding Michelle Schimel when she was elected to the State Assembly.

Gross and De Giorgio recalled bonding at events recently. "I've felt a real kinship with Leslie," De Giorgio said.

Frank Moroney, chair of the North Hempstead Republican Committee, announced two candidates for the council slate: Anthony Bulzomi, a construction manager from Westbury to challenge Viviana Russell in District 1; and Jeff Benjamin, an attorney from Great Neck, opposing Lee Seeman in District 5.

Moroney said he didn't consider running a Democrat risky.

The Democrats' convention is Tuesday, and Jon Kaiman, the Democratic supervisor, announced Thursday night that he will run for a Nassau district court judgeship.

De Giorgio called the relationship between Gross and town Democrats "strained."

Gross said she was unable "to give the input or maybe my opinions have not always been appreciated."

"I guess I feel right now very appreciated for the work I do," she said.

With Jennifer Barrios