2026 Elections

Stephen Kiely (l) and Tommy John Schiavoni (r)
2026 Elections Top Stories

Elections 2026: First State Assembly District Candidates Are Miles Apart on Issues

Beth Young
Two years after retired social studies teacher Tommy John Schiavoni was first elected to the New York State Assembly, he is again facing a challenge from attorney Stephen Kiely, whom he beat with 55 percent of the vote in 2024. Pictured Above: Stephen Kiely (l) and Tommy John Schiavoni (r) Mr. Schiavoni, a former Southampton Town Councilman, has been a passionate supporter of equitable housing opportunities and climate resiliency, and
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2026 Elections Top Stories

Elections 2026: New York State Senate Candidates Grapple With Affordability & the Environment

Beth Young
The high cost of living on Long Island and the importance of protecting the environment are two issues that New York State Senator Anthony Palumbo, of New Suffolk, and his opponent, East Setauket attorney Chris Murray, both see as top priorities. But what to do about those priorities is where they split. Pictured Above: (l) Anthony Palumbo (Beacon file photo) and (r) Chris Murray (Chris Murray for State Senate photo)
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Abigail Field
2026 Elections Recent

After Upheaval in Race, Dems Back Cutchogue Lawyer’s Write-In Campaign For Suffolk County Clerk

Beth Young
Perhaps the most interesting race to watch this election season in Suffolk County is one you won't see on your ballot. Over the past month, Cutchogue attorney Abigail Field has stood up a write-in challenge against incumbent Republican Suffolk County Clerk Vincent Puleo — garnering enough notice to win her a spot on the Suffolk County Democrats' list of official candidates. Pictured Above: Cutchogue Attorney Abigail Field, an active Democrat,
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2026 Elections Photos Recent

Photos: No Kings Returns With a Message for this Election: Vote Early

Beth Young
This Saturday, Oct. 17 marked the fourth time a series of pro-democracy events known as "No Kings" have been organized throughout the United States. On the East End and throughout the country, events were more muted than in former No Kings rallies, as the national organizers focused on hyperlocal efforts encouraging voters to go to the polls early. On the East End, the largest rally was held in Riverhead Saturday
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Riverhead Town Supervisor Jerry Halpin (left) and Councilman Ken Rothwell (right)
2026 Elections Recent

Supervisor Candidates on Riverhead’s Future

Beth Young
Due to the phase-in of the shift of New York State elections to even years, there will be a race for Riverhead Town Supervisor this year, less than one year into incumbent Supervisor Jerry Halpin's first term. This fall, Mr. Halpin, an independent serving as a Democrat, will be facing a challenge from Republican Town Councilman Ken Rothwell, who was appointed to the Town Board in the midst of the
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2026 Elections Announcements Upcoming

Riverhead Town Supervisor Debates Set

East End Beacon
Three Riverhead civic associations are holding debates in the upcoming weeks for the two candidates running for Riverhead Town Supervisor — incumbent Supervisor Jerry Halpin and Councilman Ken Rothwell. Mr. Halpin, a minister, was elected as a Democrat last fall and has been in office less than a year, but is facing re-election this year due to the phase-in of the state's new even year election law. Mr. Rothwell, a
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Rich Schaffer wins the Democratic Party Chairmanship Sept. 22. |. Team Schaffer Facebook photo
2026 Elections Recent

Rich Schaffer Returned to Suffolk County Democratic Chair Post With 57.2 Percent of Votes

Beth Young
Incumbent Suffolk County Democratic Party Chairman Rich Schaffer was returned to his seat running the county party Tuesday evening, after facing a grassroots challenge from Southold Town Democratic Party Chair Kathryn Casey Quigley. Mr. Schaffer won 57.2 percent of committee members' weighted votes after 12 rounds of voting, which took place at the county Democratic Committee's biannual organizational meeting at the Huntington Hilton. Pictured Above: Rich Schaffer wins his reelection
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2026 Elections

League of Women Voters To Hold First Senatorial District Debate

East End Beacon
The League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island and North Fork is holding a virtual debate for the two candidates for New York State's 1st Senatorial District on Monday, Sept. 28 at 7 p.m. State Senator Anthony Palumbo, a Republican, is facing challenger Christopher Murray, an attorney and environmental and civil rights advocate. It takes place live on Monday, Sept. 28, 7-8 p.m. on Southampton Town's SEA-TV YouTube channel,
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David Becker (l) and Jerry Goldfeder (r) will discuss voting rights and the 2026 elections at the Sept. 30 virtual forum.
2026 Elections Upcoming

LWV To Hold Virtual Forum on “Voting Rights & the 2026 Midterms”

East End Beacon
In the lead-up to the Nov. 3, 2026 midterm elections, against the backdrop of unprecedented challenges to voting rights and election administration, the League of Women Voters of the Hamptons, Shelter Island & North Fork is hosting a virtual discussion for the public on Wednesday, Sept. 30, at 6:30 p.m.   Titled “Voting Rights and the 2026 Midterms: Election Challenges, Threats and Integrity,” the forum features two prominent election law experts—David
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2026 Elections Greenport Recent

Greenport Village Trustee Julia Robins To Step Down

Beth Young
Longtime Greenport Village Trustee Julia Robins will be stepping down from her board seat effective Sept. 1. Ms. Robins is "moving her residence just outside village lines and consequently can no longer serve as she will not meet the residency requirements," announced Village Mayor Kevin Stuessi in an email newsletter to village residents Monday. The mayor is expected to appoint a replacement to serve until the Village's March 2027 elections,
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