Caesar Trunzo, long under fire for mounting losses including his own State Senate seat, said yesterday that he will step down March 9 as Islip Republican chairman, setting at least a two-way succession battle.

Ending his 20-year run as party boss caught some GOP officials by surprise because it came after two nights of candidate screenings where Trunzo gave no hint of his plans. But the move comes after insurgents, who have wanted Trunzo out for more than a year, petitioned last month for a special party meeting to consider his ouster. In a separate letter, Trunzo rejected the request to meet, saying it had “no basis whatsoever” in party or state laws.

The Brentwood Republican, 82, said he has “deep regrets” about leaving before his term expires in September. But he said his family needed “greater attention than they ever have” and he lacks the time “necessary to lead the party in its ongoing rebuilding process.”

In an interview, Trunzo also conceded, “It’s something I should have done a long time ago,” adding he feels “a sense of relief” over the decision.

Frank Tantone, leader of the insurgent 21st Century Republicans, called Trunzo’s decision “a positive step” and said he will run for leader as did former town attorney, Robert Cicale, though other names may surface. Trunzo said the party will hold meetings at its Bay Shore headquarters on Feb. 18, 26, and March 5 to interview candidates. Trunzo did not set a convention date.

The next leader will inherit an Islip GOP – once the most powerful party machine in Suffolk – that is now virtually broke, has vacancies in half its 440 committee spots and a headquarters with a roof in need of a $20,000 repair.

Tantone, 48, a Ronkonkoma lawyer and head of the town planning board, said he is best qualified to lead the battered party because “our group has been out there raising money and energizing the party rather than waiting for things to change.”

While the party is in “need of repair and of change,” Cicale, 40, of East Islip, said, “My method is to work from within the party,” adding, “I did not think of going forward until there is a vacancy.”

Trunzo’s exit will end a half-century public career that included 36 years in Albany. He became town chairman in 1989 as a peacemaker to calm warring factions after Anthony Pace’s exit as the town’s powerhouse boss. “No one ever got mad at Caesar,” said Harry Withers, Suffolk Republican chairman.

However, that calm began to fray when former Town Supervisor Peter McGowan sought to roll back term limits and lost a primary to veteran GOP town board member Christopher Bodkin, now a Democrat. After McGowan went to jail for misusing his $1-million campaign fund, Trunzo lost another primary to GOP supervisor candidate Pamela Greene, who ended losing a three-way race, which led to Democrats winning Town Hall. Even worse, Trunzo’s own whopping defeat last fall to Brookhaven Supervisor Brian Foley helped end the GOP’s 40-year control of the State Senate.

Source: Newsday