Nuzzi backs out of Southampton supervisor race

Southampton Councilman Christopher Nuzzi has decided not to run for town supervisor, almost a month after the town’s Republican Party nominated him for the job.

Southampton GOP Chairman Ernest Wruck said in a news release sent Monday that though he believed Nuzzi is the best choice for the position he will begin to reach out to other possible candidates.

He said those include “non-political community leaders” and others who have a “sincere interest in running for Southampton supervisor on the Republican line” while the GOP reviews “its legal options as to selecting a new candidate.”

Nuzzi said he weighed the opportunity carefully, but is content with his position on the town board.

“After much thought and consideration, and based upon the current needs of family, I am reaffirming my decision to not run for Supervisor at this time,” he wrote in a statement. “My commitment remains to serving the public as a member of the Town Board where I intend to continue to progress the economic, environmental and quality of life issues important to our community.”

At the moment, that leaves only current town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, an Independent supported by the town’s Democratic party. She has also been screened by the Working Families Party, which supported her in the past. The party has not made a decision.

Tuesday is the first day that political parties circulate positions, a step needed to get candidates’ names on the ballot.