For the next county executive election in four years, Levy predicts the party will find a fresh face with a powerful message that appeals to a broad base of voters. He said he doubts the candidate will come out of the blue, but will likely be someone who has not yet run in a county-wide election, perhaps from the Democrats’ stronghold in the Town of North Hempstead.

DeGrace said there are some potential candidates in the county Legislature. Running for county executive, however, carries the same risk that Mangano, then the legislator for the 17th District, took four years ago.

“When Mangano ran the first time,” DeGrace said, “he rolled the dice. He knew if he lost, he would lose his county Legislature seat.”

— Brian Racow and David Weingrad contributed reporting.