As Phil on TAP points out, there's been a generational fight brewing for a while out in Suffolk between younger, less traditional republicans and the older elite that controls the party apparatus. This is a healthy development, and not just for our momentary partisan convenience. A new and smarter republican party could offer some interesting challenges to overwhelming Democratic strength.

For now, though, republicans are seeking their immediate refuge with Demnocrats.

Farmingville, NY – More and more Republicans are supporting Brian X. Foley in his effort to unseat 36-year incumbent senator Caesar Trunzo. The Foley for Senate campaign announced the formation of "Republicans for Foley," a group of voters and grass-roots activists who will work to elect Brian X Foley.

Like the rest of the electorate, Foley's message of putting working families' interests over special interests is resonating with registered Republicans. Voters see Foley as a fiscal conservative who has a record of cutting taxes and strengthening our middle-class.

"As a lifelong Republican, I am proud to support Brian X. Foley for Senate because I know he will stand up for me and my family," said Ken Chebat, of Patchogue.

When it comes to fighting for working families, there is a clear contrast between Brian X. Foley and Caesar Trunzo. While Foley has stood up for the middle-class, Trunzo has supported increasing tax breaks for Wall Street banks.

Trunzo has crowned himself the king of pork-barrel spending and even boasts about using his member-item slush fund as a way to buy votes. On the Senate floor, Trunzo voted against expanding mammography services and cervical cancer screenings for women, despite Long Island having the highest rate of breast cancer in the country.

As Foley cut taxes on residents in Brookhaven, Trunzo went on a tax binge in the State Senate, voting for 611 separate increases in taxes and fees on working families. In total, Trunzo is responsible for $33.4 billion in tax and fee increases. He's voted on increasing taxes on everything from bike helmets to baby diapers to smoke detectors.

"I'm supporting Brian X. Foley because we need someone in the Senate to work for ordinary people, not special interests," said Jack Geoghan, a Republican voter from Davis Park. "Foley has a record of fighting for the middle-class. We need his strong leadership and smart economic policies in Albany."

Foley, a lifelong resident of Brookhaven, has spent the past 15 years working on behalf of those in his community both as a member of the Suffolk County Legislature and in his current position as Brookhaven Supervisor. He will bring to Albany a proven record of fighting for working families and taking on and defeating special interests.

"We are thrilled with the depth of support Brian X. Foley enjoys from a broad base of voters, including Republicans," said Ibrahim Khan, Communications Director for Foley for Senate. "Supervisor Foley has a record of fiscal responsibility and cutting taxes, a sharp contrast from Senator Trunzo's failed economic policies that have brought us the worst crisis since the Great Depression."

Republicans for Foley will actively campaign in the 3rd Senate District to persuade Republicans, Democrats and independents to support Foley. Their efforts will be particularly helpful with GOP supporters since one out of four Republicans already oppose Trunzo's reelection, according to a recent Siena poll. Instead, voters want Brian X. Foley to bring the same integrity and common-sense approach to politics that he used to turnaround Brookhaven.

In just two years as the Brookhaven Town Supervisor, Foley cut a $15 million deficit, got the town its highest bond rating ever, and saved taxpayers $10 million through innovative economic policies. Because of his hard work, Brookhaven now has the lowest town tax rate in Suffolk County, and is the only town on Long Island to hold the line on taxes for the coming year.

There's going to be a role to play for republicans in this state going forward; a diminished role, no doubt. But it's alliances like this that might give individual republicans a seat at the table, even if they haven't been in politics for decades.