Suffolk Democrats set for leadership vote as Rich Schaffer faces challenge from Kathryn Casey Quigley
A rare, contested race for Suffolk Democratic Party chair pits longtime chairman Rich Schaffer against Southold Democratic leader Kathryn Casey Quigley in a debate over the party's direction, strategy and deal-making.
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Nearly 1,400 Suffolk Democrats will vote on Tuesday to decide who will lead the party for the next two years, in a contest that could shape the future direction of the Suffolk County Democratic Committee.
Contested races for county party leadership are rare in Long Island politics. The vote will take place during the Suffolk Democratic convention in Melville, where longtime Democratic Party Chairman Rich Schaffer is facing a challenge from Southold Democratic Committee Chair Kathryn Casey Quigley.
For more than 25 years, Schaffer has led the Suffolk Democratic Party. For most of that time, he has also served as Babylon Town supervisor.
"I feel I've done the best job possible, with the conditions that exist here in Suffolk County," Schaffer said.
Schaffer is seeking another term despite a string of setbacks for Democrats on Long Island in recent years. A Republican surge has resulted in Democrats losing control of the Suffolk County Executive's Office, the Suffolk County Legislature, the District Attorney's Office and the Huntington Town Board.
"Yes. We've suffered over the past few years because of the cycle. A lot of it beyond our control. But we do accept responsibility for it," Schaffer said.
Casey Quigley argues those losses show the party needs a new approach.
"The results of the last 10 years under the leadership of Rich Schaffer is showing we are losing. We need to reverse course and we need to do it now," Casey Quigley said.
At the center of the race is a disagreement over Schaffer's willingness to strike political deals, including cross-endorsements with Republicans and Conservatives.
Casey Quigley points to this year's ballot, where Democrats do not have a listed candidate for Suffolk County clerk. She also cites last year's agreement that resulted in Republican Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney and Democratic Suffolk Sheriff Errol Toulon both receiving cross-endorsements and running unopposed.
Casey Quigley says such arrangements weaken the Democratic Party and limit its ability to advocate for its values.
"When you hand your power over to a party that doesn't represent your values, you dilute your own party and your ability to fight," Casey Quigley said.
She said she would take a different approach if elected.
"I will not be doing deal making with the Republican and conservative party. That's just not what voters want," she said.
Schaffer, however, argues that those types of agreements are pragmatic and serve both the party's interests and the county's interests. He says cross-endorsements have been critical to Democratic success in Suffolk County elections.
"There were 40 Democrats who were elected to the bench since 2013, with cross endorsements. We checked to see the numbers. If they did not have those cross endorsements, all 40 of them would have lost," Schaffer said.
Political consultant Michael Dawidziak said Schaffer's long tenure is marked by a lengthy period of electoral success for Suffolk Democrats.
"It is a statement of fact that Richard Schaffer is the most successful Democratic chairman in the history of Suffolk County. That's just a fact," Dawidziak said. "For 20 year plus years he won everything that wasn't nailed down. He had the county executive. He had the county legislature. He had the majority of the towns."
Dawidziak argued that recent Democratic losses were driven in part by factors outside of Suffolk County politics.
"The only reason that winning streak came to a halt was progressive policies coming out of Democrats in Albany," he said.
The Suffolk Democratic convention will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at 6pm at the Hilton Long Island/Huntington in Melville. The winner will serve a two year term as party leader.
