Republicans, Democrats gear up for primaries

The state Democratic Committee suppressed or avoided discord last week in launching its Andrew Cuomo-Bob Duffy ticket. Party officials gamely agreed to disagree over the contested attorney general's slot, by setting up a five-way primary.

In sharp contrast, the smaller state Republican party convenes Tuesday with its schisms on display, deciding if wild-card party-switcher Steve Levy advances another step for governor, or if Rick Lazio locks up the nomination as once presumed, or if one Myers Mermel mounts a miracle.

Multiple candidates also seek both U.S. Senate nominations. From Nassau, Comptroller George Maragos and ex-legislative presiding officer Bruce Blakeman seek different seats. Out of Suffolk, Gary Berntsen seeks to run against Sen. Charles Schumer as does Maragos. Expect no Suffolk-Nassau solidarity, given icy relations between county chairmen John Jay LaValle and Joseph Mondello.

Republicans tend to invite losses when they pick differently from Conservatives. On Friday, that party endorsed Lazio for governor and Joseph DioGuardi and Jay Townsend for the Senate seats. But Harry Wilson and Dan Donovan are expected to carry both ballot lines, for comptroller and attorney general. They could be the GOP's strongest prospects.

AMNESIA WATCH: In May 2003, Levy was a Democratic assemblyman. The legislature was at war with the governor over the budget. Levy voted for what he called a "progressive and temporary" plan that included tax hikes, insisting higher property taxes would otherwise result. Of Republican Gov. George Pataki, Levy said in debate: "The governor is raising taxes by billions of dollars, taxing everything that moves, taxing everything and everyone - except those who can most afford to pay." This year, Pataki backs Lazio.

FACING KING: With Republicans jostling this year to take on Democratic House incumbents, little has been heard about the 3rd Congressional District represented by Peter King (R-Seaford). At tomorrow's meeting of the Nassau Democrats, the nominee is expected to be teacher Howard Kudler, who ran two years ago against Assemb. David McDonough (R-Merrick).

TEATOTALER: In recent mailings to upstaters, Levy cites Tea Party activist Steve Flanagan, founder of the Conservative Society for Action, which gave Levy a 93.7 percent rating, Rick Brand reports. Rival Carl Paladino got 71 percent; Lazio didn't screen.