On Sunday, former North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman announced that he would seek the Democratic nod for New York’s swingy 3rd District. About one-third of the district lives in the town Kaiman used to lead until he retired in 2013 (supervisor is the equivalent of mayor), so he’ll likely start with some good name recognition. Kaiman is leaving his posts as Nassau Interim Finance Authority chair and as an advisor to Gov. Andrew Cuomo on Hurricane Sandy relief.
North Hempstead Town Councilwoman Anna Kaplan and Suffolk County Legislator Steve Stern are also running in the primary, while lobbyist Brad Gerstman and ex-Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi have formed exploratory committees. A number of other Democrats have also expressed interest in running to succeed retiring Rep. Steve Israel, but DNC member Robert Zimmerman took his name out of contention on Sunday.
However, local Democratic leaders have another name in mind for this Obama 51-48 seat: North Hempstead Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth. Nassau County Democratic chair Jay Jacobs told Newsday that “[i]t would be foolish to think anyone could beat her in a primary,” and predicted she would clear the field if she got in. Even prospective foe Suozzi called her a tough candidate, and declined to say if he’d stay out if she ran, though few Democrats think he’d defer for her. (This is the guy who insisted on running against Eliot Spitzer in the 2006 gubernatorial primary and got destroyed 82-18.)
However, Newsday says that Bosworth hasn’t given any indication that she wants to run for Congress. Bosworth is also 68, which is a bit old to begin a House career in a swing seat. Bosworth hasn’t said no to a bid and the filing deadline isn’t until April, but it doesn’t appear that she’s chomping at the bit to run here.