(Updated: Feb. 24) Republican congressional candidate Robert Cornicelli says he’s staying in the race and he’s in it to win.
In a phone interview today, the St. James Republican said he intends to get on the ballot in a primary election for the GOP nomination in the First Congressional District.
Cornicelli expressed outrage at the decision by Suffolk County Republican Committee leadership to endorse Nick LaLota of Amityville for the First Congressional District.
“You think I’m going to back out? Not a chance,” Cornicelli said. “We have to bring honor and integrity back into the process.”
Cornicelli said he followed the rules established by the party and attended every screening committee meeting, which he said was supposed to be required of every candidate. Then party leadership decided to hand the endorsement to someone who did not screen, he said.
That was “a slap in the face to every committee person who took the time to attend those screenings,” Cornicelli said. “It was dishonorable,” he said.
“I was asked if I’d be loyal to the party. And my answer was no. I’m not a party guy. I will be loyal to my constituents,” he said.
The county Republican committee’s designating convention is scheduled to be held on Friday evening.
Cornicelli said LaLota can’t win the race and by running him, the Republicans are handing the seat to the Democrats, which he said Republican Party leaders are doing intentionally.
“I have the endorsement of Gen. Michael Flynn. I have other major endorsements,” Cornicelli said. “I have a long history of community service. I’m not a career politician,” he said.
Cornicelli said he served 21 years in the military and will not “give in to dishonorable back room deals.”
Suffolk County Republican Chairperson Jesse Garcia disagreed.
“I respect Rob’s military service. But his analysis of this battlefield is completely off,” Garcia said today.
“He neither has the message, manpower, money or temperament to win a primary or general election. That is why 10 town leaders recruited Nick LaLota to win this race,” Garcia said.
LaLota, a former Village of Amityville trustee, was a Suffolk County commissioner of elections until he was tapped by Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey in January to serve as chief of staff in the county legislature.
Republican candidate Anthony Figliola of East Setauket said he also has no intention of withdrawing from the race.
“I announced on January 4th that I was running for Congress and nothing has changed,” Figliola said in a statement emailed after this article was originally published. “I believe my record of accomplishment in creating jobs, advocating for lower taxes, fighting for life and against unconstitutional mandates, as well as standing up for parents, makes me the clear choice to represent this district,” he said. “I am running to represent the hardworking men and women of this district — putting families first.”
There will be a primary election for the Democratic candidate in NY-01 also. Democratic county legislators Kara Hahn of Setauket, Bridget Fleming of Noyack and Jackie Gordon of Copiague are seeking the party’s nod. The county Democratic Committee will not be endorsing any candidate, party chairperson Rich Schaffer said yesterday.
To get on the ballot in the primary election in either party, candidates must gather the minimum number of valid signatures, as set forth in the State Election Law, from voters enrolled in their party who reside within the congressional district. Candidates can begin collecting signatures on March 1.
The party primary elections will be held June 28.
Editor’s note: This article has been amended to add comments from Republican candidate Anthony Figliola, emailed to RiverheadLOCAL after the story was originally published Wednesday evening.
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