Suffolk County Democratic Uprising: Primary Winners Back Challenger to Party Boss

Recent political developments in Long Island signal potential shifts in regional power dynamics, highlighted by significant primary results within the Suffolk County Democratic Party and the departure of a long-serving representative from the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) board.

The Suffolk County Democratic Party is currently experiencing a notable internal challenge, with an uprising against its long-standing chair, Rich Schaffer, led by Kathryn Casey Quigley, who chairs the Southold Town Democratic Party. The recent primary results for county committee candidates have shown a strong leaning towards Quigley's supporters. Out of 81 contested election districts, candidates backed by Casey Quigley secured an impressive 73 seats, representing nearly 90% of the wins. These results suggest a clear demand for change within the party, contrary to Schaffer's earlier assertions that court rulings would solidify his position regardless of primary outcomes.

Casey Quigley views these outcomes as a powerful message and a "rebuke" of the existing party leadership, asserting that the race for the county chair position, which committee members will vote on in September, is far from decided. She emphasized that the struggle is an "infrastructure fight," focused on process and building a stronger grassroots foundation rather than ideology. Her success is also expanding the party's reach, with an expected increase in committee members from approximately 750 to over 1,200, aiming to bolster get-out-the-vote efforts for upcoming elections.

The extent of Casey Quigley's influence was evident even in Babylon Town, Schaffer's own constituency and a long-time stronghold, where six committee members supporting Quigley were elected. Huntington Town also saw a significant number of her candidates succeed, with almost all of her 54 primary candidates appearing to win. In East Hampton Town, while establishment Democrats generally held their ground against challenges from Jerry Larsen-backed candidates, notable victories included Lisa Larsen (Jerry's wife) defeating Joe Burke-Gonzalez. East Hampton Democratic Party chair Anna Skrenta, who survived her own committee challenge, expressed readiness to collaborate with newly elected members, indicating a path forward despite internal divisions.

Simultaneously, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority board is navigating the absence of David Mack, who formally withdrew his name from consideration for reappointment as Nassau County's representative. Mack had a lengthy and intermittent tenure on the board, serving from 1993-2009 and again since 2019. His departure leaves Nassau County without a voice in crucial board discussions, including budgetary matters and contract approvals.

Mack's time on the board was acknowledged by MTA Chair Janno Lieber and several other board members, including Suffolk County representative Marc Herbst, Long Island resident Sammy Chu, and James O'Donnell. While they recognized his dedication and "lengthy service," their remarks often hinted at his unconventional and sometimes controversial approach. Lieber, for instance, mentioned their disagreements and Mack's tendency to "chatter" during meetings, while Herbst lauded his "different perspective" and "courage to speak his mind."

Among the controversies associated with Mack was a well-documented dispute where he reportedly demanded an MTA police placard from Lieber's office, an incident a witness described as "unhinged." He also famously stood as the sole MTA board member to oppose the institution of congestion pricing in Manhattan's central business district, often appearing to prioritize the concerns of drivers over those of Long Island Rail Road and subway riders. These actions contributed to his reputation for expressing strong, individualistic views.

The immediate consequence of Mack's absence is the lack of Nassau County representation in significant MTA board activities. This week alone, the county had no voice in critical budgetary conversations and the pivotal vote to approve contracts with the five LIRR unions that had recently been on strike. The timeline for filling this vacant seat remains unclear, as the State Senate is not expected to reconvene until January, although the possibility of Bruce Blakeman, Nassau County Executive, renomination of Mack remains open, potentially leading to his return.