Republican Primary 2013: Who's Who for Suffolk Legislature

Republican voters have the chance on Tuesday to cast their vote on who they believe is best team to make decisions for Smithtown at the county level. 

There's a three-way race in the Republican primary among candidates vying to be the successor of Legis. Lynne Nowick, R-St. James, representing the new 13th district of the Suffolk County Legislature. 

New district lines will take effect in 2014, allowing the 13th district to stretch between the Town of Huntington and Town of Smithtown along the North Shore, from East Northport to Nissequogue and St. James.

Only voters registered with the Republican party will be eligible to vote in the Sept. 10 primary. To check your registration with New York State Board of Elections, click here.

Suffolk County Legislature - 13th district

• Paul Hennings:  Hennings, a St. James resident, is a political newcomer who has not held a prior political office. 
  
  Hennings is a attorney with a Melville-based law firm who is a former prosecutor with Suffolk County District Attorney's White Collar Crime bureau, according to his website. For the past two years, he has served as legal counsel for Smithtown's Board of Zoning Appeals. 
  
  Hennings has won the official endorsement of Smithtown Republicans and the Conservative party. 
  
  
• Mario Mattera:  Mattera, a St. James resident and Nesconset native, is also a political newcomer - running for office for the first time. 
  
  Mattera works as a business agent for the Plumbers Local Union No. 200. He sits on the Suffolk County Consumer Affairs Plumbing Licensing and Fire Protection Board as well as the Suffolk County and New York State Riverhead Empire Zone's Joint Venture Board. 
  
  Mattera is also the candidate endorsed by the Independent Party and has received support from Nowick. Read more about Mattera on his campaign's website. 

• Rob Trotta: Trotta, a Fort Salonga resident and Commack native, is a political newcomer who has staked out offices on Kings Park's Main Street. 
  
  Trotta is a detective for the Suffolk County police department with 25 years experience. He is an advisory board member of the Nissequogue River State Park Foundation, a member of Kings Park Civic Association and Kings Park Neighbors Association. 
  
  Trotta said one of his key issues is improving residents quality of life and turning Kings Park Main Street, Smithtown Main Street and other similar areas of town into destinations to help increase sales and tax revenue.  Read more about Trotta on his campaign website.