Mr. Mazzei's decision makes him an instant favorite to secure the Republican nomination in what should be a tightly contested special election in March.
Brookhaven Town Supervisor Brian Foley will vacate his post in January as he heads to Albany, where he has secured a seat as a freshman senator in the 3rd District. Deputy Supervisor Jim LaCarrubba will serve as acting supervisor until the special election is complete.
Other names mentioned recently to appear as potential Republican candidates include Councilwoman Kathy Walsh and Suffolk County Leg. Ed Romaine. But Mr. Romaine has told the Sun he's not interested in the position.
Mr. Mazzei, who previously rejected any notion of running for supervisor, said this week he changed his mind after taking into consideration the reality that [Supervisor Foley] is leaving and also the position of his family and his law partner, who support him.
Mr. Mazzei also said he wanted to "keep the ball rolling."
"I think we are doing a good job," he said. "I think the entire Town Board is doing a good job. I don't think we need a break in the action. I think it needs to be a smooth transition."
Brookhaven Democratic Committee vice chair, John Byrne, said Tuesday that the party will be screening Highway Superintendent John Rouse, Patchogue Mayor Paul Pontieri and Assemblyman Marc Alessi. The name of Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark Lesko, who Mr. Byrne said could possibly secure a spot in President Barack Obama's administration, has also been thrown into the mix.
Mr. Byrne disagreed with Mr. Mazzei's assessment of the Town Board, saying things in Brookhaven have not been running smoothly. Mr. Byrne faulted Mr. Mazzei's majority with raising taxes, overspending and stripping of the supervisor's office of its powers ¬-- including the removal of key positions involved in Mr. Foley's reform initiatives.
While Mr. Mazzei has to be taken seriously, Mr. Byrne said he is going to have a "tough case to make to the people of Brookhaven."
"Because he has been the majority leader for the better part of a year so, you can make the case that he has almost been the de facto supervisor," he said. "I can't think of one good government initiative. It's been all bitter partisanship."
Suffolk County Democratic Committee chairman Rich Schaffer said he has been conducting a heavy campaign to recruit Mr. Lesko for the job. Mr. Lesko is best known for prosecuting the couple accused in the Muttontown slave case and the individuals involved in the asphalt cartel, which allegedly rigged bids with Suffolk County and Brookhaven Town. Mr. Schaffer said Mr. Lesko would bring some good experience to the supervisor's seat. Mr. Schaffer said Mr. Mazzei has done his best to unravel the reforms introduced to counteract more than 30 years of bad Brookhaven politics.
"Who better to take the helm than someone who knows where all the bodies are buried?" he said.
Councilwoman Connie Kepert, who had previously expressed an interest in the supervisor seat, said she has decided not to seek the post after talking things over with her family.
"Obviously, we want to take back the majority," she said. "I want to support that in any way that I can -- whatever I need to do, I will do that."
Mr. LaCarrubba, who lost a 2005 bid for Mr. Mazzei's seat on the Town Board, said he has not really thought much recently about seeking a spot on the Town Board. That could perhaps change if Mr. Mazzei were to step down from his seat to run as a full-time candidate for supervisor.
"If a seat opened up that seemed attractive to me, I'd be interested," he said Wednesday.
Mr. Rouse said he has been approached by prominent people from both sides of the aisle about running for supervisor, but added that his primary focus remains the highway department.
"I am committed to doing whatever I have to do to change the complexion of that Town Board," he said. "I will support whatever candidate is best suited to do that."
GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia would not discuss any other hopefuls who have thrown their hats into the ring, saying only that he keeps those discussions private. Mr. Garcia referred to Mr. Mazzei as "an effective councilman" and he said the committee is very excited about his running for the supervisor's seat. Mr. Garcia said he expects the committee to start their screening process in early December.
"I am very interested," he said. "There are a strong array of candidates that are interested in running for Brookhaven Town supervisor."
peggy@northshoresun.com