Independence Party backs David Calone over Anna Throne-Holst

In a surprise move, Suffolk’s Independence Party has decided to back Democrat David Calone for Congress over former Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, who until last year was a member of the minor party for almost her entire eight-year tenure as a town official.

“We’re 100 percent for Calone,” said Frank MacKay, state and Suffolk Independence Party chairman. “But it’s not an anti-Zeldin or an anti-Anna decision.”

Calone called the endorsement “great news” and said “the practical effect is that it gives me a head start in the general election in beating . . . Lee Zeldin,” the freshman incumbent. The Independence ballot line is worth about four percent in a general election, which could be crucial in a close race.

Throne-Holst said, “Democrats know I’m the progressive in the race with a real track record fighting for Long Island’s middle class families, and I’m the one who can take down Lee Zeldin.”

Both Calone and Throne-Holst are campaigning to win a June 28 Democratic primary for the right to take on Zeldin in the November election.

MacKay said he has known Calone since first meeting him in 1999 when he worked for the Suffolk Democratic Committee as campaign manager for former Sheriff Patrick Mahoney, a Republican, who ran on the Democratic line in a losing county executive race.

“He’s a political outsider, done well for himself in the private sector and would attract more men and women to us from that sector,” said MacKay. “He’s been a leader and successful player in the nonpolitical world, and we think Calone would be an asset to Long Island in government.”

Calone, 42, of Setauket, is a venture capitalist and until January spent six years as chairman of the Long Island Planning Commission.

Several sources say relations between MacKay and Throne-Holst at times were strained. “I think Frank feels we were much better partners to Anna than she was to us,” said one party official who declined to be identified.

Fred Thiele (I-Sag Harbor), who is also the minor party’s town leader, said he was unaware of MacKay’s decision, admitting, “I’m a little surprised by it.” He said he was unaware of a rift between MacKay and Throne-Holst, but added she asked him about a week ago to join her in a meeting with MacKay, but the sit-down never materialized.

Throne-Holst so far has been leading Calone in fundraising, and touts a private poll that she claims shows her ahead. But Calone has gotten strong backing from the Brookhaven Democratic Committee, a town that makes up the largest part of the district, as well as Legis. Bridget Fleming (D-Sag Harbor) and East Hampton Supervisor Larry Cantwell.

Should Throne-Holst prevail in the June primary, however, political sources say there would still be a chance for the minor party to change its endorsement, by allowing Calone, an attorney, to exit the line by giving him a nomination for a judgeship.