Suffolk County GOP boss 'cautiously optimistic' on election results

Suffolk GOP Chairman Jesse Garcia said he was “cautiously optimistic” Republicans could maintain a supermajority in the legislature.

He acknowledged it’s a “tough” year without a marquee countywide race at the top of the ticket. Suffolk voters, he said, have already helped elected Republicans in the federal government in the races that generate bigger headlines.

“It’s my job, it’s a difficult job in this year, to let them know that the closest level of government to them is the most effective one for them,” he said.

He said he was keeping a close eye on the Town of Southold, which has become more blue in recent years.

“We spent a lot of resources there with the Republican Town Committee there,” he said. 

Several seats ran unopposed in Suffolk, including Democratic Sheriff Errol Toulon Jr. and Republican District Attorney Raymond Tierney.

Toulon said cases like the Gilgo Beach killings showed law enforcement worked well together, regardless of political affiliation.

“We work so well cooperatively, not only him, but the members of his office and the members of the Suffolk County Sheriff's Office,” Toulon said. “I think Gilgo Beach is a prime example, but working together collaboratively, just for public safety, and neither one of us looking to grab the headlines, whoever does the work gets the credit, and we're just more in a supportive role. So I really think that overall, in Suffolk County, our law enforcement community is stronger than ever.”

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