Blue Wave Sinks Suffolk Republican Incumbents

A Democratic wave swept into Suffolk County Tuesday, toppling two longtime Republican incumbents while leaving others to survive the political backlash.

Dissatisfaction with President Trump, economic pressures and a surge of voters supporting Gov. Kathy Hochul over Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman helped shape an election in which external issues overshadowed the records and reputations of local candidates.

Four-term Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano, also running on the Conservative line, fell to Democrat Josh Slaughter by approximately 900 votes, while Anthony Palumbo was defeated by Chris Murray by roughly 4,000 votes after six years in the Senate.

Yet Republican Senators Dean Murray and Mario Mattera won comfortably, as did Assemblymembers Jodi Giglio and Mike Fitzpatrick. Republican Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo won his bid for the state Senate, and his seat will stay in GOP hands with the election of Dawn Marie D. Kuhn, raising questions about why some candidates weathered the political storm while others were swept away.

DeStefano was up against a well-funded challenger who drove home the affordability question and Trump’s unpopularity.

“They made it all about Donald Trump,” Murray said, pointing to Hochul repeatedly invoking the president during her debate with Blakeman. “They nailed home gas prices, inflation and mentioned Trump in practically every ad.”

Palumbo faced an energized Democratic base in his North Fork district, driven by a surge of activists who nearly dethroned longtime party Chairman Rich Schaffer.

“They were organized and out for blood and they took it out on Senator Palumbo,” said a Republican insider.

Southold Town Democratic Chairwoman Kathryn Casey Quigley’s leadership campaign focused on rebuilding local organizations, recruiting new committee members and ending what she characterized as backroom political arrangements.

Her Republican Party counterpart in the neighboring Town of Riverhead, Tammy Robinkoff, was arrested on drunken-driving charges following a series of crashes over Memorial Day weekend, a leadership question that may also explain the failed attempt by Town Councilman Ken Rothwell to defeat Supervisor Jerry Halpin.

Election night was a roller coaster for local Republicans as early results showed many candidates losing. It was neck and neck for Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota, who prevailed in the end.

Brookhaven Town Highway Superintendent Dan Losquadro, running countywide, won the Suffolk Comptroller’s seat with just 50.57% of the vote, a higher percentage than the 49.56% received by Blakeman, according to unofficial results.

Murray praised Suffolk Republican leadership and its grassroots organization. “While a lot of the Suffolk County races were closer than expected, I do think it speaks volumes to the fact that we still pulled off the wins that we did,” he said.

Reflecting on the campaign, DeStefano said, “It has been an honor and privilege to serve the people of the Third Assembly District, and I want to thank the voters for placing their trust in me over the past eight years. Obviously, this was not a favorable political climate for Republicans, and many factors contributed to the defeat. I am proud of what we accomplished together and will always be grateful for the opportunity to serve. I will continue to be here for the people of this district and help in any way I can.”