Legislator Rob Trotta Launches Suffolk County Executive Bid

Suffolk County Legislator Robert Trotta, a Republican, launched his candidacy for county executive Tuesday.

Trotta currently represents District 13, which includes Fort Salonga, San Remo, Kings Park, Nissequogue, Head of the Harbor, and parts of Commack, East Northport, Northport, Smithtown and St. James..

Trotta's launch began with an attack on County Executive Steve Bellone, demanding he return donor money - a notion that was rejected by Bellone's spokesman, Jason Elan.

"A real profile in courage by this fiscal fraud," Elan said. "Rob Trotta now says he may not run after all and would let the GOP party boss decide when they 'get in a room'. That's not democracy, that's Tammany Hall."

Bellone is running for a third term after being re-elected in 2015 with nearly 25,000 more votes than his opponent.