[Long Island Pete]

Some have claimed that the (R) means right side

If that were the case, you would use a lowercase R then.

[j_k_l]

"New York Governor Eliot Spitzer (R) holds a news conference in New York City with his wife Silda by his side, on March 10. Spitzer came under mounting pressure to resign Tuesday, a day after the Democrat, crusader once known as the "Sheriff of Wall Street" was linked to a prostitution ring."

Description mentions his party affiliation.