2 Nassau lawmakers won't seek re-election

Two Nassau County lawmakers said Wednesday that they will not seek re-election, while a third said she remains undecided about her political future.

Democratic Legis. Joseph Scannell of Baldwin and Republican Legis. Joe Belesi of Farmingdale will not seek another term, party officials said.

Legis. Judi Bosworth (D-Great Neck) said she is keeping her options open as she considers running for North Hempstead Town supervisor if incumbent Jon Kaiman does not seek re-election.

Scannell, who has served seven terms in the 5th District, wants to spend more time with his family and pursue other interests, said Nassau Democratic chairman Jay Jacobs.

"He has served for 14 years, and people don't stay forever," Jacobs said. Scannell, who declined to comment, has faced health issues in recent years.

Democrats will run Laura Curran, 45, a Baldwin Board of Education member who served as a spokeswoman for former Nassau Executive Thomas Suozzi.

She will face Robert Rigoroso, 49, an appliance store owner from Baldwin whom county Republicans selected during their nominating convention in Levittown Wednesday night. The district is heavily Democratic.

Belesi, who served two terms in the 14th District, said "politics was wearing me down. It was time for me to go."

GOP redistricting had put Belesi, a former Nassau police sergeant and U.S. Army veteran, in the same district as GOP Legis. Michael Venditto of Massapequa.

Republicans nominated Laura Schaefer, 45, an attorney from Westbury, to replace Belesi. Democrats have not named a candidate for the seat. The district is solidly Republican.

Democrats will hold their nominating convention on May 28.

Bosworth, who has served three terms in the 10th District, said she "has not closed the door" on returning to the legislature and would make a decision only after Kaiman announces his re-election plans.

Jacobs said Wednesday that "we are expecting a new candidate to run in that district," although he declined to identify the candidate.

Kaiman said Wednesday that "it's premature for me to set forth what I'm doing."

The GOP nominated Jane Centrella, 51, an accountant from New Hyde Park, for the seat. The 10th District is heavily Democratic.

Both parties will compete for an open seat in the 18th District after Democratic Legis. Delia DeRiggi-Whitton was moved into the 11th District because of redistricting. Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn), who currently represents the 11th District, is not running for re-election.

Democrats will nominate Kathleen Reilly, 50, a middle school teacher from Locust Valley, as their candidate in the 18th District. Reilly is a registered Republican and a first-time political candidate.

Republicans, who have a significant voter registration advantage in the district, will run Donald MacKenzie, 43, a commissioner in the Oyster Bay Water District, for the seat.

Democrats also are eyeing the 13th District, held by legislative Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow). Democrats will nominate Edward J. Kraus, a commissioner and former chief of the North Bellmore Fire Department. Registered Republicans outnumber Democrats in the district by nearly 4,400.

Republicans, meanwhile, are eyeing Legis. David Denenberg's 19th District seat. The GOP nominated Steven Rhoads, a captain in the Wantagh Fire Department. Republicans hold a significant voter registration advantage in the district.

The GOP also announced Wednesday that they will run Howard Sturim, a law secretary for Acting Supreme Court Justice Alan Honorof, for district attorney. He will compete against Democratic incumbent Kathleen Rice.

With Jennifer Barrios

Nassau Republican candidates

At a party convention in Levittown Wednesday night, county Republicans nominated:

Edward Mangano -- County executive

Howard Sturim -- District attorney

George Maragos -- Comptroller

Maureen O'Connell -- Clerk

Laureate Gregory -- 1st Legislative District

Pepitz Blanchard -- 2nd District

Sean Wright -- 3rd District

Denise Ford -- 4th District

Robert Rigoroso -- 5th District

Fran Becker -- 6th District

Howard Kopel -- 7th District

Vinny Muscarella -- 8th District

Richard Nicolello -- 9th District

Jane Centrella -- 10th District

John DiMascio -- 11th District

Michael Venditto -- 12th District

Norma Gonsalves -- 13th District

Laura Schaefer -- 14th District

Dennis Dunne -- 15th District

Louis Imbroto -- 16th District

Rose Walker -- 17th District

Donald MacKenzie -- 18th District

Steve Rhoads -- 19th District