Democrat-turned-Republican Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy has made another GOP endorsement, this time of Randy Altschuler, winner of the three-way Republican primary in NY-1.

“Randy Altschuler is a common sense, self-made businessman and that’s the type of person that we need representing Suffolk County in Congress,” Levy said in a statement distributed by Altschuler’s campaign.

“He understands what it takes to make a payroll, build a business and create jobs and he’ll put that knowledge to work in Washington and right here in Suffolk County to create private sector jobs for our residents.”

“Equally important is the fact that Randy Altschuler will fight against the status-quo and work to reform the way government does business. We all need to work hard to get Randy elected because he will be a great Congressman for the 1st Congressional District.”

Altschuler defeated George Demos and Chris Cox, son of state GOP Chairman Ed Cox, in the Sept. 14 primary. Ed Cox was responsible for Levy’s failed gubernatorial bid, wooing the county executive into the race and convincing him to switch parties – although a bit too late to provide enough time for rank-and-file Republicans to get comfortable with the idea of his candidacy.

Ed Cox has now embraced Carl Paladino as the party’s gubernatorial nominee, even as other Republicans – including both state comptroller hopeful Harry Wilson and AG contender Dan Donovan – have refused to do so.

Altschuler is the nominee of the Conservative Party. Suffolk County Conservative Chairman Ed Walsh, who was just re-elected to another two-year term, was a big Levy backer and pushed hard – albeit unsuccessfully – to block Rick Lazio from landing Row D.

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