Suffolk County clerk race gains attention as write-in campaign picks up momentum
The incumbent Suffolk County clerk, Conservative Party member Vincent Puleo, is seeking re-election and is running unopposed on the ballot.
More Stories
A Suffolk County race that typically attracts little public attention is generating significant buzz online because of an unusual write-in campaign.
Cutchogue attorney Abigail Field is running a write-in campaign for Suffolk County clerk. The East End Democrat says she entered the race after what she describes as political backroom dealings left Democrats without a candidate on the ballot.
"People ask me, why are you a write in? Why aren't you on the ballot? Well that's quite a story," Field said.
Field and her supporters have launched an extensive grassroots effort across Suffolk County. Campaign signs have appeared throughout the county, and supporters have built a strong presence on social media to spread awareness about her candidacy.
Field says the response from voters has exceeded her expectations.
"It's really kind of been a voter rebellion, it's been amazing," Field said. "People are creating social media content for me, somebody showed up at my house and gave me pens that said 'write in Abigail Field.' I mean people really all over are standing up and saying we are done having elections determined before we get our ballots."
The incumbent Suffolk County clerk, Conservative Party member Vincent Puleo, is seeking re-election and is running unopposed on the ballot.
Field alleges that Suffolk County Democratic Chairman Rich Schaffer agreed to a deal that resulted in no Democrat appearing on the ballot for the race in exchange for patronage job protections.
News 12 reached out to both Puleo and Schaffer for comment regarding Field's allegations but had not received a response.
