Southold Democratic town board member Al Krupski took an up-close and personal look at how the Suffolk County Legislature operated Friday by attending a meeting of its environment committee.

Krupski is the leading Democratic contender to run for the seat now held by GOP Legis. Edward Romaine, who was elected Brookhaven supervisor earlier this month and will take office once the vote is certified. Krupski has already met with Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman, and Schaffer said Krupski -- from a well-established North Fork farming family -- is ready to make the run.

Meanwhile Riverhead’s Republican Supervisor Sean Walter has also expressed interest in Romaine’s seat. Walter, a Wading River lawyer, has been supervisor for three years. Walter’s father Michael once ran for the county legislature in a losing race against former Democratic presiding officer Floyd Linton.

Jesse Garcia, Brookhaven GOP chairman, said he was aware of Walter’s interest in the race and said the party has a “good crop” of contenders, but he declined to label Walter as a front-runner for the nomination.