Southampton Democrats Celebrate Bishop, Obama Wins at Inaugural Dinner

It was high feathered fanfare for the Southampton Democratic Party stalwarts as they held their own Inaugural Gala at 230 Elm Street in Southampton Monday night.

Despite the inclement weather, the gala was well attended. Masters of Ceremonies were split between Joy Flynn, the president of the Southampton Democratic Club, and Gordon Herr,  the chairman of the Southampton Town Democratic Committee. 

The event featured a gourmet buffet dinner, dancing, live gospel, jazz and Latin music. A highlight of the evening was a joyous call from Congressman Tim Bishop who was in Washington, D.C. for the actual Inaugural festivities with his whole family, including his grandson.

There was an air of true glee in the air, yet when Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst arrived the talk of many privately turned to the next election this coming November when control of Southampton Town government will be up for grabs. The feeling in the room had most believing a change to Democratic Party control of the Town Board being a strong possibility. With the very popular Republican Chris Nuzzi term limited, thus going off the board, and James Malone being forecast as vulnerable there is an opening for the change. Supervisor Throne-Holst is also up for re-election too, however, at this moment many believe, even if Chris Nuzzi runs against her, she would prevail. Also feasting at the gala was Brad Bender, who many believe will be a candidate again, as he was two years ago for the Southampton Town Board. Brad Bender lost a very tight race in 2011 yet many in the room believe he is now poised to win a board seat this time.

The secret to the growth and recent successes of the Southampton Democratic Party was hatched years back when then SH Democratic Committee Chairman Michael Anthony launched a voter registration plan that present SH Democratic Committee Chairman Gordon Herr has continued to support earnestly. It may be noted that retiring Southampton Democratic Club President Grania Brolin also played a huge part in the mechanics of caring out of the Southampton Democratic Party voter registration plan. I fondly remember covering a Democratic Club Breakfast perhaps 6 or 7 years ago, when while interviewing Brolin about prospective Supervisor Candidate Throne-Holst, Brolin looked around the room, which had at least 140 in attendance and said, "You know I remember when these breakfast events use to draw just a handful of Democrats." I feel that time was the beginning of the ascension of the Democratic Party's success. Many astute followers of Southampton Town politics will not be surprised if the Democrats achieve a majority on the board this coming Fall 2013.