Politics & Government
5 Seek 2 GOP Nods for Town Council Race
Incumbent Jim Malone has still not declared whether he will seek to keep his seat.
The slate of potential candidates vying for the Southampton Town GOP nomination in the Town Council race grew by one Tuesday, as Keith Davis, the owner of the Golden Pear cafes, was screened before the Republican committee.
Davis is the fifth man to meet with the committee regarding the council race.
The first four, who were screened last month, were Cornelius Kelly, of East Quogue, an MBA and small business owner who ran for Suffolk County legislator in 2011; Ryan Horn, a Sag Harbor resident who works at Southampton Town Hall as a citizen advocate; Bridgehampton's Jeff Mansfield, the president of the Mecox Sailing Association and a member of the Bridgehampton Citizens Advisory Committee; and Stan Glinka, a Hampton Bays resident and vice president of the Hampton Bays Chamber of Commerce.
Southampton Town Republican Committee Chairman William Wright said Davis was on vacation during the April screening night, when political newcomers met the committee, so he was invited Tuesday.
Incumbent Councilman Jim Malone, a member of the Conservative Party who won his seat four years ago with the Republican nomination, did not screen on Tuesday. He has not publicly stated whether he will seek to retain his seat, step aside or seek other office.
Wright said that though no further candidate screenings are planned, the window is still open for another candidate to compete for the nomination because the name of any registered Republican in town could be put forward during the committee’s nominating convention later this month.
Though several candidates have come forward for just two Town Council seats, and two others are seeking the GOP nomination in the town supervisor race, Wright said he does not anticipate that anyone passed over by the committee will mount a primary challenge to get the R line on the ballot.
Linda Kabot, of Quogue, who held the post from 2007 to 2009, and James Sanford, of Sag Harbor, a newcomer who has an investment advisory firm, both came forward during last month’s screening night to seek the GOP nod for town supervisor. The candidate who the Republicans ultimately put forth will challenge incumbent Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, I-Noyac, who has the backing of the town Democrats.
Councilman Chris Nuzzi, who was prevented by term limits from seeking reelection to the council, has opted to seek the Suffolk County Republican Committee’s endorsement for the county’s Second Legislative District, in an attempt to oust incumbent Legislator Jay Schneiderman.
Two town justices are up for re-election this November, and Wright said they will both be crossendorsed by the Democrats and the Republicans. Barbara Wilson is a Republican who will also receive the Democratic nomination, and Deborah Kooperstein is a Democrat who will have the GOP line as well.
