High Court Shoots Down Negron

The New York State Supreme Court has shot down a petition by Republican Raymond Negron to run a GOP Primary against 2nd District incumbent Brookaven Councilwoman Jane Bonner in September, according to a statement from attorney in Rocky Point.

Negron, a Mt. Sinai resident and former prosecutor for the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, submitted a designating petition with over 1,000 signatures to the Suffolk County Board of Elections but the petition has been deemed invalid by the Supreme Court.

An action was commenced by Bonner and the court's decision was issued to direct the Board to refrain from placing his name on the ballot for the primary scheduled for Sept. 13.

In the decision, the court ruled that the signatures obtained by Negron were "not obtained in conformity with Election Law Section 6-132 and are invalid."

"It is important that members of the community be assured that candidates adhere to the Election Law during the signature-gathering process each year," Losquadro said in a release.

While it was ruled in the case that Negron did not "go beyond the mere solicitation of signatures," he himself had witnessed six signatures, which is a violation of the Election Law Section 6-132.

With Negron's candidacy now invalid, Marie Berkoski, D-Rocky Point, is the lone challenger to the incumbent Bonner in the 2nd Council District election. Berkoski is attempting to become the first Democrat elected to the 2nd Council District.