Newsday endorses Robert Trotta for Suffolk Legislative District 13

Republican Robert Trotta, 58, of Northport, is a retired Suffolk cop but Suffolk's Police Benevolent Association goes to extraordinary lengths to get him out of office.

So far, it has failed.

One of Trotta's jobs is safeguarding Suffolk's finances. Much of the PBA's job is loosening them, fighting for higher pay and benefits. They're not supposed to get along, and Trotta's harrying of the cop lobby — he's an equal-opportunity harrier criticizing leaders from both parties on most issues — may be his best trait.

The PBA-supported candidate to wrest the GOP nod from Trotta, William Mountzouros, lost his run to invalid signatures. Then the PBA sent executive board member Michael J. Simonelli, 49, to run on the Conservative line, and lambaste Trotta for a grab-bag of sins. Democrat Kevin M. Mulholland isn't actively running.

Trotta is the only active candidate looking to represent the interests of taxpayers, not police unions.

Newsday endorses Trotta.

Suffolk Legislative District 13 covers Smithtown west to parts of Commack and East Northport.