James Gaughran drops out of Huntington supervisor race

Former Suffolk Legis. James Gaughran has dropped out of the running for Huntington Town supervisor.

Gaughran said he talked by telephone with Suffolk Democratic chairman Richard Schaffer Tuesday and the party leader asked him not to seek the nomination.

“I have too much respect for Rich to do otherwise,” Gaughran said. “Rich feels we have an incumbent and we should support him. And I’m supporting our leader.”

Gaughran earlier said he was considering a supervisor run even though Democratic incumbent Frank Petrone said he planned to run again. Gaughran disclosed his plans to drop out shortly after Schaffer introduced Petrone at a luncheon fundraiser at the Hamlet Country Club Tuesday that drew more than 250 people.

“Jim is a pro and I spoke to him about the fact we have a strong supervisor in Frank and I think that what’s best is to put our the best foot forward with Frank and Mark [Cuthbertson] and a new council candidate,” Schaffer said.

Gaughran made his decision a day after the county legislature’s environmental committee voted to approve his reappointment as $32,500-a-year chairman to the Suffolk County Water Authority. The full legislature is expected to vote on a new five-year term for Gaughran next Tuesday.