Candidates for Suffolk County’s elected offices have officially been nominated by the Republican and Democratic Committees, with Brookhaven Town Supervisor Ed Romaine and Dave Calone leading the Republican and Democratic tickets, respectively, for the county executive seat.
Manny Vilar of Springs, who has served since 2019 as the chairman of the East Hampton Town Republican Committee, is running for the county’s Second Legislative District seat. Bridget Fleming, the incumbent Democrat who now holds that seat and is not term-limited, announced last Thursday she will not seek re-election, which created the opening. She and the county Democrats have endorsed Ann Welker of the Southampton Town Trustees to succeed her in office.
In response to receiving his party’s nomination, Mr. Vilar said in an interview that he is “appreciative, with tremendous gratitude, that they’ve recognized the value in the years of experience that I bring to the legislative process.”
“We have a lot of tremendous issues on the East End of Long Island that are going to take a lot of advocacy and some different thinking. . . . I believe that the economic solvency of the county starts with eastern Long Island,” he said.
In 2017, Ms. Welker became the first woman elected trustee in Southampton Town since that body was formed in 1686. Trustees each represent certain parts of town; Ms. Welker’s region covers much of the eastern part of the township, including Water Mill, Bridgehampton, Noyac, Sag Harbor, and Sagaponack.
“I’m proud of my record of maintaining and protecting water quality, preserving public access to the water, and working with the town board on coastal-related issues,” Ms. Welker said in a joint announcement with Ms. Fleming. “I’m excited to take that experience to the Suffolk County Legislature to continue fighting for the residents of the South Fork.”
Ms. Fleming was first elected to her county post in 2015, having been a Southampton Town councilwoman previously. She won re-election in Suffolk three times and ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2022. She said in her announcement last Thursday that she feels “it’s time to move on to new challenges and make way for fresh perspectives.” She said she intends to pursue opportunities in the private sector and spend more time with her family.
“I am delighted to now have the chance to pass the baton” to Ms. Welker, Ms. Fleming said. “In making this transition, I reflect with deep gratitude on the many connections I have made over the years — all the advocates throughout our communities who strive every day to make the world a better place. . . . I know that Ann Welker is capable of continuing the fight with all of you. She is smart and committed and has an impressive record of delivering for Southampton families.”
Republicans hold an 11-to-7 majority in the 18-member County Legislature. County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat, is term-limited.
Jesse Garcia, chairman of the Suffolk G.O.P., said by phone Tuesday that Mr. Romaine and Mr. Vilar were chosen “based on their long records of accomplishments, qualifications, and vision for the future of Suffolk County, in the case of Ed Romaine, and the South Fork, in the case of Manny Vilar.”
Mr. Romaine is “a force at the ballot box, countywide,” Mr. Garcia said. Of Mr. Vilar, he said, “Manny has been ingrained in the community for generations. More importantly than being involved politically, he is someone who knows what challenges the residents of the South Fork face every day.”
Rich Schaffer, chairman of the Suffolk Democrats, said in a statement to The Star that “we’re excited that we have such a strong slate of diverse candidates on the ballot this year. With Dave Calone,” a former chairman of the Suffolk County Planning Commission, “at the top of the ticket and experienced candidates like Ann Welker for County Legislature, we’re confident in the Democrats’ chances at keeping the office of county executive and making gains in the Legislature.”
