Absentee ballots were counted today at the Suffolk County Board of Elections, and, after the dust cleared, Democratic candidate Brian Hughes bested his opponent Bill Goggins for the town justice seat.
In a close trustee race, GOP candidate Glenn Goldsmith took the race by 19 votes over his opponents, according to GOP chair Peter McGreevy, who said the results have not yet been officially announced by the Board of Elections.
Nick Krupski won by a comfortable margin on Election Night, leaving the other three candidates in a tight race to the finish. But in the end, Goldsmith took the lead over incumbent Dave Bergen, who ran on the GOP ticket and Matt Kapell, who waged a campaign on the Democratic line.
A representative for the Suffolk County Board of Elections said that the tally remains unofficial, and the final, official numbers are likely to be announced Monday.
“It was an interesting process,” Hughes said tonight.
He said while the final official numbers have not yet been released, his lead increased from 180 to 200 votes over his opponent today. “It’s a great relief.”
Reflecting on his journey, Hughes said, “It’s always great to meet people you haven’t met in town. So many people are really interested in what’s going on — they really care. It’s refreshing.”
First on his agenda, Hughes said he thinks back to a statement made by Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell earlier this year, one that fueled his desire to run for the town justice’s seat when Justice Rudy Bruer retires in January.
“He said we need to restore credibility to the justice court. I think that’s the major issue,” he said.
Also, Hughes said, he looks forward to working “with the good people there, to restore that credibility. There are a whole lot of good people working very hard to run that court on a day-to-day basis. I’m happy to help where I can to bring whatever talents I have, to make that happen.”
Hughes won the seat despite losing a three way primary to Goggins, a Mattituck attorney who secured the GOP, Conservative and Independence lines.
On Election Night, Goldsmith had said the experience alone was fulfilling and humbling, and, with the numbers squeaky close, if he didn’t win, he’d be happy to have had the experience.
Today’s win took him off guard: “It was an unexpected victory, but I am extremely happy nonetheless. It was a tough battle the whole time.”
Humbly, he said he wan’t as confident as his supporters that he’d emerge with the highest number of votes.
Bergen said he wanted to congratulate both Krupski and Goldsmith. “Both of them worked very hard throughout the campaign. I have offered them my assistance as they prepare to take on the role of trustee. While I am deeply disappointed with the results, I am humbled to have had the opportunity to serve the residents of Southold. I am confident that all will realize the same goal, to support initiatives which will address the critical environmental concerns of the Peconic Estuary,” he said.
Victory secured, Goldsmith said he looks forward to working with Krupski and the rest of the trustees to utilize his experience in the marine industry to best serve the people of Southold Town.
“I want to protect the water and work with everyone to balance environmental rights with property rights,” he said.
Krupski, meanwhile, said he’s honored to have won the voters’ confidence, and has already touched base with staff and the other trustees.
Most rewarding, he said, was going door to door and meeting the public, all of whom took the time to talk and share their thoughts with the candidates handing out palm cards. “No one slammed the door in our faces.” He laughed. “But in all seriousness, he said, of the campaign, “It was a great experience. I’m happy to have won and I look forward to getting started.”
Goggins and Kapell did not immediately return a request for comment.