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Russell, GOP town board, assessor candidates sweep race; trustees, justice too close to call

Updated: The unofficial results are in, and incumbent GOP Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell and his town board running mates took the 2016 election by a landslide.

With the two districts that were still to be counted last, including Fishers Island and Greenport, where there was a mechanism failure, now in, results so far have Russell winning by a wide margin, with a total of 3,906; Damon Rallis, who challenged him on the Democratic line, received 2,131.

2015_1104_GOP2The room buzzed with excitement at the Soundview in Greenport, where the GOP waited for the votes to be tallied.

Incumbent GOP town board candidate Jill Doherty took the lead with 3,658 votes, and incumbent Bill Ruland garnered 3,433. Democratic challenger Albie de Kerillis received 2,247 votes and Debbie O’Kane, 2,158.

Incumbent GOP assessor also won with a comfortable lead: Richard Caggiano received 3,500 votes and his challenger Linda Goldsmith, who ran on the Dem ticket, received 2,284.

“Running this race was the best thing that I did,” Goldsmith said. “I learned that I have family all over who care for me so much — and friends, too. My grandkids are so glad and proud. I came home to cards made by them and as I have said all along — you count your wealth by the number of people who care for you, not by the number of votes you get.  Votes can be bought — love can’t be.”

Proud father and son: Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski after his win, with son Nick Krupski, the top vote-getter in the Southold trustee race. SoutholdLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl.
Proud father and son: Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski after his win, with son Nick Krupski, the top vote-getter in the Southold trustee race. SoutholdLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl.

 

 

 

 

Some races are still too close to call. In the trustee race, newcomer Nick Krupski, who ran on the Dem line, received 3,596, and Glenn Goldsmith, who ran on the GOP line, received 2,796. Incumbent Dave Bergen, a Republican, so far has 2,801 and Dem candidate Matt Kapell received 2,478.

Matt Kapell, in the race for Southold town trustee, waits for results with his father, former Greenport Village Mayor Dave Kapell. SoutholdLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl.
Matt Kapell, in the race for Southold town trustee, waits for results with his father, former Greenport Village Mayor Dave Kapell. SoutholdLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl.

The town justice race is also close, with GOP candidate Bill Goggins receiving 2,880 and his Dem challenger Brian Hughes coming in with 3,060.

Suffolk County Legislator Al Krupski won by a landslide, with 11,732 to Remy Bell’s 3,924.

2015_1104_GOPAccording to GOP chair Peter McGreevy, there are still 637 absentee ballots, with approximately 198 of those Democrats, 263 Republicans, 16 Conservative, 29 Independence and 128 blank.

After the results were tallied, Russell thanked his supporters and the voters. “The people of Southold have been the best to work for,” he said, adding that he now has four years to once again prove their trust in him.

Russell said, as opposed to election seasons in the past, this year’s was marked by “vitriol, misinformation — and frankly, a candidate who offered nothing.”

Russell said he has run against many “great” candidates in the past, including former town councilman Bill Edwards, who still lends his expertise to Southold, Chris Baiz, one of Russell’s most trusted advisors in the agricultural community and Bob Meguin — but not in this year’s race, with Rallis as an opponent.

“How do you respond to a remark like that?” Rallis asked. “It saddens me that he can’t be a gentleman even after he wins.”

The Democrats waited for results at Touch of Venice. SoutholdLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl.
The Democrats waited for results at Touch of Venice. SoutholdLOCAL photo by Peter Blasl.

Reflecting on the outcome, Rallis said, “We ran a good race. I’m proud of my team. I’m proud that we were able to shine a light on the problems that exist in Town Hall. I’m proud that we were able to run a clean race. And I managed to give my opponent the biggest challenge he’s had yet. I wish him nothing but the best.”

Ruland said he felt “good. The voters have spoken. I’m humbled.”

And Doherty said she’s thrilled to have won with such a strong showing of support, and looked forward to another term of serving the public.

After the votes were tallied, Debbie O’Kane, who threw her hat into the ring for a town board seat, said, “”Congratulations to Bill and Jill.  Yes, I am disappointed and perhaps there will be a next time. I plan to carry on focusing on the issues I am passionate about and will always work for the betterment of our community.”

Caggiano said he was happy to have won “by a substantial margin” and also thanked his wife and children for supporting him every step of the way. “Hard work equals success,” he said, adding that he has spent days pounding the pavement.

Goldsmith said while the race is still too close to call, he’s a winner, either way. “It’s too early to tell. But I’m a better person for the experience,” he said.

 

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