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Spin Cycle: Dems Deny GOP "coverup" Charge in 3rd SD

 

News from Newsday
8/13/2008

Democrats today vigorously denied GOP allegations of a “secret deal” to get Jimmy Dahroug to drop out of the primary for Senate so that Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley becomes an undisputed challenger to Sen. Caesar Trunzo in November.

At a press conference where Dahroug endorsed Foley, where they were joined by Democrats including county chairman Richard Schaffer and Sen. Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington), all said it was up to the judge in the now-defunct petition-challenge battle, Acting Supreme Court Justice Jeffrey Arlen Spinner, to explain why he ordered the case record sealed. Dahroug also denied he was coerced into to dropping out — saying he did so afer weighing the costs of going forward and the good of the party. Schaffer said he has a future in the party.

Allegations otherwise were issued by Brookhaven GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia. The Democrats are seeking to unseat 34-year veteran Sen. Caesar Trunzo as part of their drive to win a state Senate majority for the first time in a generation.

Foley also is running in November on the Working Families Party line — yet has declared support for the controversial 4-percent tax cap as well as an alternative “circuit breaker” to limit increases based on income. He said he agrees with the WFP line on most issues. He also called it a plus for his candidacy that New York State United Teachers has chosen to stay neutral in the district race — citing the same property-tax issue — because Trunzo has long benefited from the union’s support.