TOWN OF HUNTINGTON
Morrow Mulls Primary Against Cook
By Mike Koehler/ mkoehler@longislandernews.com

Huntington Bay Mayor Herb Morrow confirmed he may force a primary to win the Republican line for town supervisor in this fall’s election.

Morrow said on Wednesday he is considering a run and expects to reach a decision by this weekend.

“I’ve been called by numerous people in the party, committee people as well as people in the executive committee who believe there should be a qualified Republican challenging for supervisor,” he said.

Huntington GOP Chair Toni Tepe was surprised by the news.

“I don’t know who he’s speaking to in the party,” she said.

Councilman Gene Cook received both Republican and Conservative backing to run for supervisor last month. Cook, an Independence party member, won a seat on the Town Board in 2011 with Republican, Conservative and Independence support.

Tepe said the Huntington Republicans are “100 percent behind Gene Cook” and have no intention of changing their nominee now.

“We have put a team together that will best serve the residents of the Town of Huntington,” she said.

Morrow screened with the Republicans for the superintendent position.
The GOP candidate will challenge incumbent Democrat Frank Petrone, who was first elected in 1993.

The supervisor job may not be the only primary for Republicans. Vivienne Wong announced last week that she is seeking a primary to run for a town board seat.
Hopefuls have until July 18 to gather enough signatures to be on the September primary ballot.