Politcal Briefs 10.11.18

Gathering for Schneiderman

A fund-raising event for Jay Schneiderman’s campaign for Suffolk County comptroller, which is expected to be the last before November’s election, will be held tomorrow. County Executive Steve Bellone will join Mr. Schneiderman at Gurney’s Resort in Montauk from 6 to 8 p.m. Tickets are $100 and include drinks and appetizers. Those wishing to attend can email [email protected] or call 631-559-5430. 

Mr. Schneiderman, who became a registered Democrat midway through his second term as Southampton Town supervisor, is running against incumbent Republican comptroller John M. Kennedy. Mr. Kennedy has held the position since 2014 after having been a county legislator for 10 years. 

Mr. Schneiderman, who lived in Montauk before moving to Southampton Village, is a former Suffolk legislator and former East Hampton Town supervisor. He was elected in Southampton Town as a member of the Independence Party with support from the Democrats before switching political affiliation last year. 

Rogers Retains Dem Leadership

Following an East Hampton Town Democratic Committee vote last month, the committee unanimously elected Cate Rogers on Oct. 3 to serve as its chairwoman for two years. 

The vote caps an unusually contentious period for local Democrats, who have been engaged in intense debate over leadership and the direction of the party. 

Ms. Rogers had already been in the role of chairwoman since June, but faced a challenge to her leadership from Rona Klopman, who charged that the committee’s previous chairwoman had manipulated its membership. Ms. Klopman ran in September for re-election to the committee along with a nearly full slate of Reform Democrats, but lost her seat.

Thirty-two of the Democratic Committee’s 38 members were on hand for last week’s vote. The committee also unanimously selected Betty Mazur to be the vice chairwoman, Arthur Schiff as treasurer, and Joan McGivern as committee secretary. 

More Endorsements for Thiele 

Assemblyman Fred W. Thiele Jr. has picked up still more endorsements in his bid for re-election. 

This week his campaign announced support from the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association and the Sierra Club, the environmental preservation group. 

The gasoline retailers group is a nonprofit trade organization that works to ensure proper recognition and fair pricing and franchise practices for small-scale gas retailers, and service station and auto repair shop owners.

“I am proud to be endorsed by the Sierra Club and have my work on environmental conservation recognized by such an esteemed organization,” the assemblyman said in a release. 

Mr. Thiele is running on the Democratic, Independence, Working Families, and Women’s Equality Lines. His Republican opponent is Patrick O’Connor.