Cooper to host Gillibrand on Sunday

A year ago, Suffolk County Legis. Majority Leader Jon Cooper was a thorn in Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand's side, threatening to run against her in a Democratic primary.

Now the Lloyd Harbor resident is hosting a fundraiser at his home on Sunday for Gillibrand, who is looking to be elected to her first full term in the seat vacated by Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton in early 2009.

Gillibrand, then a U.S. representative, was appointed by Gov. David Paterson. For months after the appointment, Cooper questioned Gillibrand's loyalty to Democratic Party ideals, pointing to votes on issues such as gun control. All of that is now water under the bridge. In fact, Cooper replaced his famous Facebook profile picture with President Barack Obama with a new one – with Gillibrand.

Expected attendees include Supervisor Frank Petrone, Brookhaven Supervisor Mark Lesko and Richard Schaffer, the former Babylon supervisor who now leads the party as the chairman of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee.

Tickets range from $250 to $4,800. The general reception starts at 3 p.m., though a V.I.P. ticket earns a supporter entry a half-hour early. The 2:30 p.m. admittance isn't cheap: The lowest price that qualifies for early entry costs $1,000.

For more information on the event, click here.