TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
GOP Screening Committee Backs Cook Supervisor Run
Also Price for councilman; no Highway recommendation
By Danny Schrafel/ dschrafel@longislandernews.com

Gene Cook may be their man once again. "

Huntington GOP’s screening committee recommended choosing Huntington Councilman Gene Cook, an Independence party member on the Town Board for the last year and a half, to run for supervisor against Frank Petrone, who is seeking his sixth term.

The committee also recommended Commack’s Josh Price, an attorney, to run for Huntington Town Board alongside incumbent Councilman Mark Mayoka. Mayoka and Price would challenge incumbent Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, who is seeking his fifth term, along with a second candidate.

Huntington Republican Chairwoman Toni Tepe said the GOP screening committee made its decision after reviewing the candidates’ oral presentations, candidate questionnaires and committee members’ evaluations.

“After looking at those three components, they felt Gene and Josh were qualified to run, well respected, and particularly in Gene’s situation, he’s been an advocate for the people on the Town Board.”

Tepe stressed that committee members will make the final decision at the party’s upcoming convention. Tepe said no date has been set for the Republican nominating convention. Huntington Democrats are expected to hold their nominating convention in Halesite on May 23.

The GOP screening committee did not, however, recommend a nominee to run for superintendent of Highways, and some party insiders say that is a result of pressure from Huntington Conservative Committee Chair Frank Tinari.

Insiders claim he is playing hardball with Tepe, demanding the GOP back their superintendent of Highways candidate, Peter Gunther, in exchange for Conservative support of the GOP Town Board slate.

Tinari denied those accusations.

“We never said that,” he said. “We designated Pete Gunther and we want him because we feel he is the best candidate this time. We want to build a winning slate, and we’re open to suggestions.”

When asked if there was any Conservative pressure to back Gunther, Tepe only said she’s had many conversations with Tinari.

“The Conservatives appear steadfast in running Peter Gunther,” she added.

Earlier in the week, the Suffolk County GOP named its three candidates to run for Suffolk County legislature seats in the 16th, 17th and 18th districts. The slate includes: Lisa Taranto-Fernandez, of Melville, to challenge incumbent Steve Stern in the 16th; Melville’s James Martin to face Lou D’Amaro in the 17th, and Robert Conte, of Huntington Station, to face incumbent William Spencer in the 18th.

Of the three nominees, Conte has drawn the most buzz, and his family name looms large in Huntington Station and nearby communities. He is the brother of Jim Conte, who served Huntington Station in the New York State Assembly for nearly a quarter century. He died Oct. 16, 2012 at age 53, following a lengthy battle with cancer.