The two contenders for the Democratic nomination to challenge Rep. Lee Zeldin in the general election this year will face off in a debate Tuesday night in Southold.
Vying for the Democratic nomination are David Calone, an East Setauket venture capitalist and former federal prosecutor who served as chairman of the Suffolk County planning commission for seven years and Anna Throne-Holst, the former Southampton Town supervisor who stepped down from that post at the end of her third term in December to make the run for Congress.
Tuesday’s debate, hosted by the Southold Town Democratic Club, will begin at 7:30 p.m. in the Southold High School auditorium. The event is free and open to the public, which is invited to send questions for the debate to southolddemsclub@gmail.com.
New York’s First Congressional District, which stretches from Smithtown and Islip to the tips of the twin forks, is currently represented by freshman Republican Lee Zeldin of Shirley. Zeldin, 36, defeated six-term incumbent Tim Bishop (D-Southampton) in 2014. It was his second run for Congress; he challenged and lost to Bishop in 2008.
Democrats will choose between Calone and Throne-Holst in the congressional primary election to be held on June 28.
