What Our Readers' Think: Assemblyman Thiele to Run Unopposed

This week, candidate for the Second Assembly District . He backed out after Suffolk County Republican leader failed to sign a Wilson Pakula, which would have allowed Brandt, a Conservative, to run on the Republican line, leaving Assemblyman Fred Thiele unchallenged.

John Jay Lavalle, the Republican chairman, said he does not believe Brandt had enough backing or money to successfully challenge Thiele.  In addition, he said, Thiele, who was once a registered Republican, has been working closely with the Republicans on a number of issues. 

Patch readers had a lot to say about the decision. The following is a round-up of comments. Feel free to add to the conversation by posting your thoughts in the comment section below. 

 said, "Where are our new generation of leaders? Waiting for enough money to run against incumbents that get squishy the longer they're in office? We can raise the money needed to run against Thiele, given the opportunity to get behind a (small c) conservative candidate. LaValle has let us all down, not only by not endorsing a promising young candidate, but in failing to field someone of strong character to run against the incumbent. Thiele support many issues anathema to conservatives."

 added, "This is a failure of leadership. I won't be sending any to the Suffolk GOP, none of us should, send it to the candidate."

 wrote, "Isn't there a head of cabbage, a pencil sharpner or even a box of facial tissue that would like to run against this guy, I could guarantee a close race."

 wrote of Thiele, "I am convinced that he could never lose...he's invincible.  He could die...someone would prop up his stuffed body..and run his corpse..and he'd still win. Masterful politician."

 said, "I cannot believe we are stuck with Thiele for another term. Very upsetting."

 wrote, "Look on the bright side, Fred is looking forward to a stress-free campaign season. And hey, when you finish the fiscal year $500,000,000 in the red and your only answer to the deficit is to raise beach fees and install more red light monitors, you at least deserve a stress-free campaign season."

 added, "Mr. Thiele's 'tax cutting' included strenuously arguing for the teachers union's version of the tax cap - pierce the cap at anything over 50%, which is no cap at all. Even Cuomo and most of the Dems wanted the 60%. He wants to spend hundreds of millions of tax dollars on ridiculous mass transit for the East End, windmills and solar panels. He's one of the most liberal members of the Assembly and it's just a real shame there's no opposition from the Republicans."