Sound Shore

Port Chester Trustee John Branca says he will take the weekend to decide whether to accept the Conservative endorsement for mayor and make the March election a three-way race.

Awaiting word will be the incumbent mayor, Democrat Dennis Pilla, and his Republican Party challenger, Trustee Bart Didden. The Conservative Party caucus Tuesday ended with 20 votes for Branca, 19 for Didden, who is a registered Conservative.

Branca says he’s “soul searching.”

“It has to do with my ability to serve my constituents,” said the 64-year-old former mayor, who rejoined the village board in the landmark June election for all six trustees under  cumulative voting. “Bottom line is that, can I serve them better as a trustee or as a mayor? ‘Cause I’ve done both.”

The local Conservatives have had a leadership battle between Trustee Sam Terenzi, a supporter of Didden, and Gene Branca, John’s son.

John Branca said he was somewhat hesitant when supporters asked him to run. “I said OK, you can use my name, go ahead,” he said. “It’s not that I was surprised that I won (the nomination), but I’ll put it to you this way, they were a little shocked in there in the room.”