Who will go up against Democratic County Executive Steve Bellone this November? Republicans leaders have screened three possible candidates from the private sector who are up for the challenge. In an effort to choose a GOP candidate who is not a career politician, Suffolk County Republican Chairman, John Jay LaValle has announced James O’Connor, John Zollo and Robert Doyle as three promising contenders to run for office. Screening for the County Candidates is underway. A final candidate is hoped to be made official prior to the Suffolk County GOP Convention on June 1st.
Meet the Candidates
Great River resident, James O’Connor served a four year term as a member on the North Hempstead Town Board. O’Connor went on to run for County Executive in Nassau but pulled out of the race to avoid fracturing Conservative and Republican votes between two candidates. His credentials include previously serving as General Attorney for the New York State Insurance Fund, NY State Special Deputy Superintendent of Insurance under Govenor Pataki’s regime and Building Commissioner for the Town of North Hempstead. Presently James O’Connor is a successful litigations and insurance/fraud attorney, serving as partner at Manhattan based law firm, Maroney O’Connor LLP.
Smithtown native, John Zollo served 12 years as Smithtown Town Attorney. Earlier in his legal career, Zollo served as a former Assistant County Attorney (ACA) for the Suffolk County Attorney’s Office where he prosecuted abuse and neglect cases and was later assigned to the General Litigation Bureau. Zollo has served on countless boards including Suffolk County Bar Association’s Grievance Committee, the 10th Judicial District Grievance Committee and Co-Chair of the Municipal Law Committee for the past several years, the St. Charles Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors and on the Board of Directors of the Suffolk County Bar Association. Zollo has served as a previous president of the Columbian Lawyers Organization, the Smithtown Community Republican Club as well as a former president of the Smithtown Sunrise Rotary Club, where he was awarded an honorary Paul Harris Fellow. Currently, John Zollo operates his private Law practice in Nesconset and is a co-founder of the Political Action Committee; People for Common Sense in Government, dedicated to bringing government back to the people.
Robert Doyle, a former Homicide Detective Sergeant for Suffolk County is no stranger to taking on politicians. The 38 year law enforcement veteran has served in the top squads including major case, narcotics and homicide. He has received confident endorsements from his fellow brothers in blue, including former Suffolk County detective, Legislator Robert Trotta. The former Detective has been married to protecting the people of Suffolk County for nearly 40 years and understands Long Island needs a new plan and vision.