Incumbents seek re-election on minor party lines in two town contests
Two high-profile town board contests in Suffolk County this year include incumbents who are seeking re-election on minor party lines after losing primary campaigns in September.
"Nothing is simple in politics," said Stanley B. Klein, a LIU Post political science professor and Huntington Republican committeeman. "Anybody who has a primary can be beaten, because it shows weakness."
In one of those races, Republican Riverhead Supervisor Sean Walter is running on the Conservative line against GOP Councilwoman Jodi Giglio -- who defeated Walter in the Republican primary -- and Democrat Anthony Coates, a former Walter aide.
In Smithtown, Republican Councilman Robert Creighton -- who ran an unsuccessful campaign in 2013 to unseat Supervisor Patrick Vecchio, a fellow Republican -- is running on the Conservative line while trying to hold his seat against newcomer Lisa M. Inzerillo.
"It's not surprising that in towns where Republicans far outnumber Democrats that you find yourself with Republicans running against each other," said Lawrence Levy, executive dean of Hofstra University's National Center for Suburban Studies.
Elsewhere in Suffolk, Republican Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter, who was appointed earlier this year to succeed Republican Tom Croci when he became a state senator, is trying to win a four-year term. She's opposed by Democratic attorney Thomas Licari.
In Southampton, Legis. Jay H. Schneiderman (I-Southampton) is seeking to replace Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, who plans to step down in December to run against Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-Shirley) next year. Schneiderman, a former East Hampton Town supervisor who moved from Montauk to run in the Southampton election, is opposed by Republican Richard Yastrzemski.
And in Huntington, Town Councilman Gene Cook, an Independence Party member, is seeking a new term while fighting allegations that he and his business partners violated town codes at a house they own.
The political rematch of the year is in Brookhaven, where Democratic Councilwoman Connie Kepert again is opposed by Republican Michael Loguercio. Kepert defeated Loguercio by four votes two years ago after two months of recounts and court challenges.
There also are supervisor races in Brookhaven, East Hampton, Shelter Island and Southold and races for other town positions in all 10 towns in the county.
With Sarah Armaghan, Valerie Bauman, Denise M. Bonilla, Sophia Chang, Deborah S. Morris and Lauren R. Harrison
Watch live: NewsdayTV's coverage of LI Votes 2024 continues with reports from Nassau and Suffolk counties
Watch live: NewsdayTV's coverage of LI Votes 2024 continues with reports from Nassau and Suffolk counties