Assemblywoman Maureen O'Connell runs for supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead this year with notoriety and the high hopes of many in the Republican Party.

This election, O'Connell (17 AD) faces off against Supervisor May Newburger, herself a former assemblywoman. The high hopes for O'Connell's chances this election come in part because the playing field has been evened as far as past governmental service, according to Republican supporters.

Anthony Santino, spokesman for Nassau County Republican Chairman, Joseph Mondello, said O'Connell's time as an assemblywoman, a seat she has both won and defended since her first run for supervisor, gives her an advantage she did not have in 1997.

O'Connell has impressed her supporters with her performance in the New York State Assembly, as a "vote getter" during elections and as a public official popular within her district.

Said Santino, "She is someone with a proven record of getting votes in North Hempstead."

Yet according to Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert, this nurse and lawyer, wife and mother is unspoiled by her experiences. "She is the same exact person that started out two years ago in Town politics."

Though O'Connell agreed that her tenure as assemblywoman has aided her by giving her greater name recognition, she said it is her tenure as village trustee of East Williston, that has given her what she needs to be an effective supervisor.

She said, if elected, she would work toward uniting the villages and communities of the Town, with direct lines of communication, in much the same way residents of incorporated villages have direct communication with their village boards.

"It is an opportunity to not just make legislative decisions, but the opportunity to deliver services, something I don't get to do as assemblywoman," she said, explaining why she is seeking a change of office.

Candidate for Town Council, Warren Brinker, noted the importance of O'Connell's performance to the entire ticket. On the night of the official announcements, Brinker said, "Tonight is not about any single person, tonight is about the Maureen O'Connell team."

Santino said strengths similar to O'Connell's can be found throughout the North Hempstead Republican ticket. He said he thinks Brinker has a strong base of support in Mineola where he is a trustee, Linda Green has a great record as town clerk and Robert Lazaro, running for town council, and Kathleen Foreman, running for receiver of taxes, bring a wealth of experience to this election. "These people are proven vote getters."

Other than Green, all of the Republican candidates for the Town of North Hempstead board are challengers to incumbents, however, Santino said this makes no difference. Said Santino, "All elections are tough elections."

O'Connell agreed, "I think it will be a very tough race, and I am prepared to work very hard."