Incumbent Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone emerged the clear winner Tuesday in the race for the leadership role in the County Legislature. Bridget Fleming, the incumbent legislator who represents the South Fork and Shelter Island, was also re-elected, while Andrea Harum Schiavoni of North Haven was elected to a county judgeship.
Mr. Bellone’s margin of victory on the Democratic and Protect the Taxpayer lines was 55 percent. His challenger, John Kennedy Jr., running on the Republican, Conservative, and Independence Party lines, garnered 43 percent of the more than 267,000 votes cast in the race. A third candidate, Gregory Fischer, who ran on the Libertarian line, had just 1 percent of the vote.
Shortly after it was clear he had won the contentious contest, Mr. Bellone said on Twitter that “tonight the people of Suffolk have spoken. And they made it clear that they want the progress to continue.”
Ms. Fleming, who ran on the Democratic, Working Families, and Independence Party lines, had 60 percent of the 20,369 votes cast for Second District legislator. Her Republican and Conservative challenger, Linda Kabot, a former Southampton Town supervisor, had 40 percent of the vote.
Reached by phone yesterday, Ms. Fleming said she was happy about the outcome and that “We are ready to get back to work.” Just on her way to a legislative session in Hauppauge to tackle the county’s operating budget, she said: “No rest for the weary.”
“I am very honored that the voters had confidence in me and my team,” Ms. Fleming added. “We look forward to continuing our work for the district. I congratulate Linda Kabot on a good race and her years of public service.”
For two open Family Court judgeships, Ms. Schiavoni, a sitting Southampton Town justice, and Victoria Gumbs-Moore, previously a Family Court attorney referee, were elected, each with 28 percent of the vote. Michael P. Sendlenski, a former East Hampton Town attorney, also ran for a Family Court judgeship but fell short, earning 22 percent of the vote. Richard Hoffmann, a fourth candidate, also had 22 percent.
The six candidates elected to seats on the Suffolk County Supreme Court are Stephen Lynch (no relation to the East Hampton Town Highway superintendent of the same name), Angela Iannacci, David Sullivan, Christopher Quinn, David Gugerty, and Thomas Rademaker.