South Fork political candidates continue to swap seats this week as Southampton Town Councilwoman Bridget Fleming announced yesterday that she’s garnered the Democratic nomination to run for Suffolk County Legislature.
She’ll be seeking the seat held by Jay Schneiderman in the second legislative district and, in a game of political switcheroo, Schneiderman announced today that he’s throwing his hat into the ring and running for the Southampton Town supervisor’s seat.
Earlier this week, Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst announced that she won’t be seeking re-election for a fourth term and has set her sights on unseating freshman Rep. Lee Zeldin in the first congressional district.
“I feel that, after serving for five years on the town board, I have a good understanding of the needs of our community and how to get things done,” Fleming told RiverheadLOCAL after receiving the Suffolk County Democratic Committee’s nomination. “So many of our challenges, like water quality, transportation and energy issues, and an economy that meets the needs of the local community, require regional approaches and coordination among multiple towns.”
She added, “If I’m elected, I will welcome the opportunity to work with colleagues countywide to meet those challenges.”
Fleming, who lives in Noyac, added that her experiences as a former prosecutor “who defended taxpayers against fraud and fought for justice for the most vulnerable,” would help her to bring her unique experience to the table. “I am also thankful for the many established relationships I have in and out of government, which will allow me to be an effective voice for our community,” she said.
Schneiderman said Friday that he would be seeking the Democratic, Independence and Working Families Party nomination to run for Southampton Town Supervisor. He said he’d been considering the possibility of serving on the Southampton Town Board as councilman, but switched gears after Throne-Holst’s announcement.
“The role of supervisor is important to every town. The supervisor is both chief fiscal officer and chief operating officer. It is important that such an individual be familiar with all aspects of the community and municipal government,” Schneiderman said.
As former Supervisor of East Hampton Town, Schneiderman said he has a proven record as an administrator. “Combined with my record as county legislator, I have delivered 16 consecutive years of property tax reductions for the people I represent,” he said. “I also have a 16 year record of fighting to protect our environment, our drinking water and our quality of life on the East End. While I don’t have all the answers, what I do have is a wealth of experience and a willingness to reach out to all members of our community to develop consensus driven solutions.”
Schneiderman said he is familiar with the Southampton community through issues he’s spotlighted during his 12 years as county legislator, including the homeless sex offender trailers and working to relieve traffic congestion on County Road 39.
Throne-Holst, a member of the Independence Party, said she would register as a Democrat to mount the challenge and run for a congressional seat.
“Securing Long Island’s future as a place that is economically vibrant and environmentally sustainable has been the driving force behind my commitment to public service and one that I aim to bring to Washington,” she said.
“As a town supervisor for more than five years, my administration has achieved major financial reforms without increasing taxes, implemented progressive environmental initiatives to accelerate land preservation, and secured investments in advanced technologies and the redevelopment of blighted areas to spur job creation,” Throne-Holst said.
The Sag Harbor resident ousted incumbent Republican supervisor Linda Kabot in 2009. Previously, she served on the Southampton Town Board.
Zeldin defeated six-term incumbent Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) by a 10-point margin in November, 55 to 45 percent.
Zeldin spokesperson Jennifer DiSiena said the freshman congressman “has hit the ground running.”
“Immediately upon taking office, Congressman Zeldin quickly became one of the most outspoken members of Congress to strengthen America’s foreign policy and improve the quality of education in our schools.”
She added that Zeldin had secured three “important committee assignments”: foreign affairs, veterans affairs and transportation and infrastructure. He has been named vice chairman of the aviation subcommittee.
“From passing just the second federal budget since 2007 to fighting for First Congressional District veterans, and from advocating for improvements to our nation’s health care to working to improve America’s business climate, Congressman Zeldin has been working tirelessly in Congress since January, all day, every day on important issues facing his constituents. Congressman Zeldin will not be outworked, outclassed or outgunned in pursuing victories for his district.”
Throne-Holst’s decision leaves the door open for Schneiderman, who said this week he planned to have an announcement today.
Schneiderman served as East Hampton Town supervisor before his election to the county legislature; the longtime Montauk hotel owner is just finishing up a new home in Southampton; during the construction he’s been renting a home in Hampton Bays.
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