Tuesday, August 5, was selected to hold a special election to fill the legislative vacancy until December 31. Another election will be held in November to fill the legislative seat from January 2004 to December 2005 - the full two year term.
Generally, candidates have months to plan their campaigns and even under normal circumstances, the frenzy of a political race can take its toll. But special elections are chaotic affairs, leaving savvy political analysts, spin doctors and candidates scrambling for the votes.
Although this is a special election one that will no doubt have a poor turn out it is likely that the winner of this race will have an incumbent's edge in the general election in November. During off elections local representatives are often chosen by a very few voters. Out of a possible 39,000 registered voters within the 3rd LD, as few as 8,000 to 12,000 voters showed up at the poles in the last election. With beaches, vacations and summer activities on most people's minds, voter participation is expected to be much lower.
Both candidates however, Republican Peter O"Leary and Democrat Carol Bissonette have walked the sprawling district pressing the flesh' and knocking on doors in an attempt to get their party members to the polls. Traditional campaign tactics, like radio and television spots have been scrapped in favor of attempting to personally bring their platform to prime and super prime voters of their respective political parties.
Suffolk County Legislature candidate Peter OLeary (center) tours problem spots within the 3rd Legislative District with the Suffolk County Police and County Executive Robert Gaffney (right). To some those who are not registered to vote or those who do not declare a party preference on their voter registration form it would not appear that an election is even being held next week. But registered Republicans have received numerous flyers and brochures from O'Leary which make note of his strong record on crime and his 16 year stint as president of the Suffolk Detectives Association. The Moriches resident said that he is committed to cleaning things up within the district and within county government itself. "As county legislator, I'll fight for the appointment of an Inspector General," O'Leary said. "We need a former judge or law enforcement official of the highest authority to help clean things up in Suffolk."
Additionally O'Leary, who has as a union president negotiated within county government in the past, said he will staff the 7th Precinct in Shirley so that it is fully operational. The former Suffolk County detective said that more patrol cars are needed on the streets within the district immediately. O'Leary said that he is intent about alleviating traffic concerns along Montauk Highway. "I will fight for funding to create a coastal evacuation route," O'Leary said. "Those routes would help lesson traffic snarls and there is money available for those types of road improvements."
Democrat Carol Bissonette has devoted most days and entire weekends to knocking on voter doors throughout the district also. "The reception has ben terrific," Bissonette said. "People are tired of corruption. It is time to restore our faith in government and our trust in those we elect to represent us."
A 12-year resident of Mastic Beach, Bissonette is co-chair of the Moriches Historic District Committee and played a large part in lobbying for its creation. She serves as an at-large representative for the Town of Brookhaven Historic Advisory Committee and is a former president of the Old Mastic Homeowners Association.
Two years ago Bissontte ran unsuccessfully for a town council seat and since has attended most public town meetings. "I promised the voters that I would monitor government no matter the outcome of that race and I have kept that vow," Bissonette said. Bissonette had become a fixture at town hall and has worked tirelessly to protect and preserve the streetscape of the historic district corridor from Moriches to Eastport.