Politics & Government

Nuzzi Aims to Unseat Schneiderman

Southampton Town councilman screened with Republicans this week.

Editor's Note: The article was published May 2, 2013. Brendan J. O'Reilly contributed to this report. 

Jay Schneiderman will face a challenger in his effort to earn his sixth and final term as a Suffolk County legislator.

Chris Nuzzi wants to move onto a county position after serving on the Southampton Town Board for eight years. A Republican-elected councilman, he has reached the term limit. On Tuesday night, he screened with the Southampton Town Republican Committee, though the decision ultimately lies with the Suffolk County GOP.

Schneiderman, a Montauk native who has served as a county legislator for 10 years, can only serve for one more two-year term before reaching the term limit. A member of the Independence Party, he was a Republican when he joined the Legislature, and has since earned the Democratic Party's endorsement.

In March, Schneiderman turned down the East Hampton GOP nomination for town supervisor, a position he previously held. After it became clear he would not receive the bipartisan support he'd hoped for, and at the urging of County Executive Steve Bellone, he said he decided to instead seek reelection.

“I really think that there are issues to be dealt with on the county level where a principled common sense perspective will be of assistance to the residents of our area,” Nuzzi said on Wednesday. 

For example, he said the Legislature must renew efforts on environmental preservation funding and get the county's finances in order. “I certainly can say with pride I served with a majority that even in difficult financial times kept the fiscal house in order,” Nuzzi said. He said the Southampton Town Board has grown fund balances and surpluses and maintained the town's credit rating while continuing to invest in infrastructure, public safety, planning and parks — all the area that residents expect investment in.

“I’m not sure we’re getting principled representation right now,” he said. Asked to elaborate, he said: “I’m going to stick to what I think are the positive things about what I’ve done and what I’ve been able to accomplish working on the Town Board.” 

“He’ll speak to his record and what he stands for. There’ll be a time and place to have that conversation,” Nuzzi continued.

"I've been doing my job. I hope the public will recognized that and allow me what will be last term," Schneiderman said on Wednesday.

Schneiderman said he was surprised to learn Nuzzi had decided to run for the position. "Last I heard, he was going to run for town highway superintendent" in Southampton, Schneiderman said. 

"It's interesting to me that Chris is choosing this post. I know that Chris has a full time job in title work," he said. Nuzzi works locally in business development for Skyline Title Agency, a title insurance company based in Manhattan. 

"Perhaps he thinks of this as less than a full-time job. I have never approached this as anything but a full time job," Schneiderman said, adding that he works 50 to 60 hours per week. "I don't think the district would be well served by a part time legislator."

Schneiderman said he is not afraid to face a challenger. "I know my record. I've achieved a lot of in the 10 years I've been at the Legislature in terms of the environment, keeping taxes low, widening County Road 39, getting Sunday bus service restored. I'll be running on my record," he said. "At least I'll have good excuse to talk about it," he said of his accomplishments.

In previous years, Schneiderman has run against several opponents. In 2003, he ousted George Guldi, a five-term incumbent from Westhampton Beach. Tim Motz, a Democrat from Water Mill, challenged him in 2005. Then in 2009, before Guldi was indicted on mortgage fraud charges — for which he is currently serving a sentence — Guldi ran an unsuccessful primary against Schneiderman.

Schneiderman said he and Nuzzi have got on well over the years. "He's always been complimentary of the work I've done," he said. "As a town councilman, I think he presents a more formidable challenge than my last opponent." Cornelius Kelly, an East Quogue resident, ran against him in 2011, but Schneiderman won with more than 65 percent of the vote

Nuzzi said his first job out of college — the University of Albany, where he studied psychology — was working for Bob Gaffney, the Suffolk County executive at the time, which gave him a perspective of both ends of the county.

“I feel really fortunate to have been given the opportunity to work in Town Hall as a member of the board and I feel like I have accomplished some really good things, working with different people of different political stripes.” 

“I enjoy the interaction with members of the community and working with them on issues of importance” He said he wishes to continue doing so as a legislator.

Raised in East Hampton, where his parents still reside, Nuzzi currently lives in Westhampton Beach and has been a resident of the Town of Southampton for 12 years.

How do you think Chris Nuzzi will do in a race against Jay Schneiderman? Tell us in the comments below.


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