Longtime Suffolk Democratic Party chair Rich Schaffer to face challenge from insurgent Kathryn Casey Quigley

An East End Democratic Party chair has launched a grassroots campaign to unseat longtime Suffolk County leader Rich Schaffer, citing what she called a lack of leadership and mounting losses at the polls in recent years.

Kathryn Casey Quigley, the chair of the Southold Town Democratic Committee, said her pursuit of the top post is "about an opportunity that we have to substantively impact people’s lives."

She accused Schaffer, the Babylon town supervisor and chair of the Babylon Democratic Committee, of focusing on his own reelection campaign, "horse trading" judicial candidates with the Republican Party and effectively punting on key races with paper candidates (someone on the ballot who does not actively campaign).

"People right now want to have hope, and there is a sense of hopelessness," Casey Quigley said in an interview. "And they’re mad at the Democratic Party and they want to make a difference and make change, but they don’t know how."

Schaffer said he has never faced a challenge since becoming the party leader in 2000 and defended his record. He said in a statement he looks forward to earning the committee’s support in 2026. 

"We as a party are at our best when we work toward our shared goals, rather than get distracted by internal division," he said. "I will continue to focus on what I’ve dedicated my entire life to: building a strong, inclusive and resilient Democratic Party."

Casey Quigley faces a potentially uphill climb to gather enough support by next fall when a biannual election would be held, according to interviews with fellow town Democratic chairs.

Some party leaders said even if they don’t believe Casey Quigley will prevail, a shake-up can be beneficial by bringing new people into the committee and introducing fresh ideas. Others, however, viewed the move as dividing the party at a time when Democrats should be focusing on two congressional seats in 2026.

Defining success

Schaffer took a celebratory tone after November’s election, saying in a statement Nov. 5 that voters "across Suffolk County are responding to our message of responsible leadership and real results."

Democrats flipped one seat on the Suffolk Legislature to break up the GOP supermajority and had success across many of the East End town races, particularly in Riverhead where Democrat Jerome Halpin defeated incumbent Republican Supervisor Tim Hubbard.

But Casey Quigley said the Suffolk County Democratic Committee didn’t invest as much as it could have, both in terms of dollars and active candidates.

"You can’t fight with one hand tied behind your back," she said.

She also pointed to what Democrats have described as raiding of the Working Families Party by Republicans and Conservatives this past election in Huntington and Southampton.

"It was a huge example of how we’re asleep at the wheel and Schaffer is completely distracted by his own reelection campaign," she said.

Casey Quigley joined the town committee in 2017 and briefly stepped down as chair in 2023 before returning in 2024. She said she tried to work "within his leadership" to effect change at the county level but "nothing ever changes." She said after the 2022 election she co-wrote a report on a plan of action to combat recent losses and the report "just collected dust."

Casey Quigley said she doesn't view her platform as strictly progressive leaning and said she's helped elect Democrats with a "range of political views."

Earlier this year, Newsday reported how many voters in minority neighborhoods across Long Island have left the Democratic Party to become independent voters over the last decade.

Rallying in support

Several prominent Democratic elected officials who represent part of Babylon Town reached out to Newsday voicing support for Schaffer at the request of the county committee: State Sen. Monica Martinez (D-Brentwood), State Assemb. Kwani B. O’Pharrow (D-West Babylon) and Suffolk Legis. Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), the minority leader.

"At the end of the day, what we all want is the best for the Town of Babylon," O’Pharrow said. "And I know Rich very well and I’ve seen him in action."

Gordon Herr, the longtime Democratic chair in Southampton Town who’s also an assistant commissioner with the Suffolk County Board of Elections, credited Casey Quigley for the work she’s done in Southold and called her a "really good organizer" and "super smart." But he said he didn’t feel she was the right choice ahead of the congressional midterm elections in 2026.

"We need continuity of leadership," he said. "I think this is our one  chance to save our democracy."

Brookhaven Town Democratic Chairman Anthony Portesy credited Schaffer for Democrats winning seats for county executive, district attorney and a majority in the legislature from 2011-23. Republicans have since gained control of all three, which Portesy described as a "temporary political shift driven by unfavorable national headwinds."

"The uncomfortable truth is that today’s criticism is not rooted in performance or results, but in personal grievance," he said.

Challenging status quo

Casey Quigley said she’s beginning her campaign now to gain support of new committee members who can collect petitions of at least 5% of the enrolled Democrats in the district in March. Each of the 1,070 election districts can have two committee members.

Catherine Brigham, who chairs the Shelter Island Democratic Committee, said positions like party leader are not meant to be careers and said it's a good thing for voters when people step up to challenge the status quo.

William Ferraro, who lost a 2019 election for Brookhaven Town supervisor and has been an outspoken critic of current party leadership, said he supports Casey Quigley but acknowledged there are several hurdles to overcome. Younger people, he said, have "lost faith" in the party and may be skeptical of a reformer who is already tied to the party. He also said he’d expect Schaffer to go over "with a fine tooth comb" any petition sheets for new committee members and challenge as many as possible.

He said while some committee members may believe Casey Quigley lacks experience to run the party, he believes anyone with new ideas and enthusiasm would be a welcome change.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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