Jim Mazzarella announces run for Suffolk County Legis.

Suffolk County Republicans last week announced that Jim Mazzarella will run as the Republican and Conservative candidate for Suffolk’s Third Legislative District to succeed retiring GOP Legislator Rudy Sunderman.

Mazzarella, of Moriches, was joined by a coalition of labor groups, community leaders, stakeholders, supporters and family at the announcement last week.

“As a labor leader, community activist and family man, I believe I have the experience and record to fight on behalf of Suffolk’s middle-class families,” Mazzarella, 55, said. “I’m committed to using my skills and experience to tackle the county’s finances, jump start our economy, revitalize our downtowns, control taxes, successfully direct to completion critical infrastructure projects such as sewers, and keep our neighborhoods safe for our families.”

Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine said he's worked together with Mazzarella "as a community leader to improve the quality of life in our area."

“With his experience with labor, as a library board member and civic leader, Jim is the kind of person we need on the County Legislature," Romaine said.

Brookhaven Councilman and Deputy Supervisor Dan Panico called Mazzerella a "bipartisan problem solver" who will work implement positive change for residents.

"Jim speaks from the heart about raising the qualify of life in the area and his calling is born by a rock solid commitment to the community, which is both refreshing and needed in these hyper political times where too many put themselves first," Panico said. "I encourage everyone to vote for Jim Mazzerella in this upcoming special election – he has a clear vision for the future to uplift the community.”

The nominee Mazzarella is a lifelong resident of the community and William Floyd High School graduate. He's served on the Board of Trustees of the Crystal Beach Property Owner’s Association for 15 years, and for a decade on the Mastic, Shirley Moriches Community Library, where he was president from 2013-2018. He has also been a member of the Rotary Club of Shirley and the Mastics since 1998.

“Over the last four years, the communities that make up the Third Legislative District have experienced a renaissance after more than a decade of neglect," County Republican chair Jesse Garcia said. "To keep this good work going, Supervisor Ed Romaine and Councilman Dan Panico need Jim Mazarella as their partner in the County Legislature."

Mazarella will go up against Democratic nominee Kate Browning of Shirley. Browning announced her candidacy a few weeks ago.