All in the GOP family: Blakeman hires Robert DiCarlo as $120K-a-year special adviser

Daily Point

New Blakeman aide has LI GOP props

Former State Sen. Robert DiCarlo has been serving for several weeks as a $120,000-per-year special adviser to Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, The Point has confirmed.

Like Blakeman, DiCarlo is the progeny of a prominent Republican political family from the region.

DiCarlo, 68, grew up in Stony Brook, but for four years beginning in 1993 served in the State Senate from a Brooklyn district representing Bay Ridge and surrounding neighborhoods. He also served as that borough’s GOP chairman before returning to Suffolk County, and in 2007 he ran for Brookhaven Town supervisor. DiCarlo survived a bruising Republican primary, but Democrat Brian X. Foley won in November with 54% against 46% for DiCarlo. Illegal immigration was a hot topic in that contest.

DiCarlo has kept a hand in politics while involved in private ventures. For example, in 2012, he and former Queens State Sen. Serphin Maltese were co-directors of Rick Santorum's New York presidential campaign. DiCarlo also has been vice president of business development and governmental relations for a cybersecurity firm, CYPHYX, and he has a firm called DiCarlo Consulting Inc., which does management and business consulting.

DiCarlo and Blakeman’s families’ politics have had parallels. DiCarlo’s father, lawyer Dominick L. DiCarlo, was an Assembly member from Brooklyn between 1965 and 1981. Blakeman’s father, lawyer Robert Blakeman, served in the Assembly from Nassau County from 1961 through 1966.

"I am very pleased to be working with the Blakeman Administration ensuring the county remains the safest county in America and continues to operate government in an efficient way," DiCarlo told The Point in an email. Blakeman said in a statement, "Robert DiCarlo served in the state senate and has been active in government for all of his adult life. His experience and abilities will enhance the performance of my staff."

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

Pencil Point

Up in the air

For more cartoons, visit www.newsday.com/aprilnationalcartoons

Final Point

Islip GOP chair William Garbarino pulls back suit

William Garbarino, 79, says he will complete his term as chairman of the Islip Town Republican Committee this summer. And then, local GOP sources tell The Point, the future leadership is unclear.

Garbarino is the father of both 2nd Congressional District Rep. Andrew Garbarino and William F. Garbarino, the Islip Town attorney.

Recently, as a candidate for reelection as chairman, the elder Garbarino, an attorney, filed a lawsuit naming more than 20 defendants as responsible for "wrongfully and fraudulently" placing his name on petitions of insurgent candidates for the town committee. The primary is June 24. Garbarino said his name was used on those petitions without his knowledge or consent, as part of an effort to unseat him as town chairman.

But on Monday, Garbarino confirmed to The Point that the matter had been settled and it was agreed that the lawsuit would be dropped. Sources said his allies on the committee will retain their seats as part of that outcome. Garbarino, of Sayville, has been a committee member for 30 years. In 2016, he was elected town chairman, after predecessor Frank Tantone left the post on his way to becoming a judge.

Earlier in his civic career, Garbarino ran for the Suffolk Legislature. In 1985, he lost a race to Democrat Steve Levy, who later became county executive. In 2001, Garbarino came closer, falling short of election to the legislature by a mere 78 votes. The winner that time was Bill Lindsay, who would become the legislature’s longest-serving presiding officer.

Currently, Assemb. Douglas Smith (R-Holbrook) serves as vice chairman of the town committee. One Republican insider was asked by The Point whether Smith plans to succeed Garbarino as chair when the committee meets in July but the insider declined to make a prediction. Another source told The Point all that can be said for sure is the leadership of the town GOP is up in the air.

— Dan Janison dan.janison@newsday.com

Subscribe to The Point here and browse past editions of The Point here.