When he addressed the Rotary Club of Manhasset a few weeks ago, Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli said that in his re-election this past November, he had his "best numbers ever." He even improved his percentage in traditionally Republican Manhasset. Perhaps heartened by that success, DiNapoli announced on Monday that he plans to seek the Democratic nomination for county executive. As a result of that decision he resigned as head of the Nassau Democratic Party. Larry Aaronson, former mayor of East Hills and former assistant to Town of North Hempstead Supervisor May Newburger, will serve as acting Democratic chairman until an election is held for the position on Jan. 18. It is expected that Mr. Aaronson will then be elected to the position.

Last year Mr. DiNapoli was credited with a remarkable surge of success for the Democrats in Nassau. Combined with voter outrage over the fiscal state of the county, which was threatened with junk bond status, Mr. DiNapoli's leadership gave the Democrats a majority of one in the Nassau County Legislature. He invigorated a party that had suffered from lackluster leadership for years, culminating with the legal troubles of former leader Steve Sabbeth.

Since the county's fiscal difficulties have been laid at the door of Republican County Executive Thomas Gulotta, this would seem like a good year for a Democrat to capture the county executive seat. Unfortunately, it appears that the Democrats may face a potentially divisive and expensive primary, since Glen Cove Mayor Tom Suozzi has indicated that he expects to declare his candidacy for the nomination. That announcement is expected to be made this weekend. There could also be a Republican primary fight, since many Republicans feel that Gulotta can not be re-elected and since Gulotta apparently plans to run again. He has a large war chest and has recently run a series of television ads touting his leadership of the county. Whether the Republican leadership will nominate another candidate, leading to a Republican primary, is uncertain.

Mayor Suozzi has said in the past that he hopes he will not find himself in a primary fight. "I think it is unfortunate that Tom DiNapoli has decided to run," he said. "He is a wonderful person with great political skills but this is not the job for him." Assemblyman DiNapoli has said that he thinks primaries are healthy. "They shake out positions and issues before the election," he said. "I don't think we should be afraid of them."

Other members of his party disagree. Judy Jacobs, Majority Leader of the Nassau County, has indicated that she would like to see DiNapoli and Suozzi on the same ticket this fall. This leads to speculation as to which candidate would accept the nomination for another position. Asked whether he would consider another spot on the ticket, Mayor Suozzi said, "Absolutely not. I've been working on this for over a year and a half and I've raised more than $700,000. I realize now that all my background-as a lawyer, a CPA, and the CEO of the City of Glen Cove-have prepared me to be county executive."

In a letter to the Democratic County Committee, Assemblyman DiNapoli said: "I am totally committed to a positive winning campaign of ideas, passion and energy and I bring to this race the formula to make it happen-extensive government experience, credibility as a candidate, a strong fund-raising base, a network of personal and political support developed over 28 years in public life, and a determination to do what is right to restore fiscal and governmental health to Nassau County."