At the Suffolk County Board of Elections office in Yaphank on Thursday, June 7, 2016, officials begin the count of almost 1800 absentee ballots from last month's First Congressional District primary. (Credit: James Carbone)
Former Southampton Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst has won the Democratic primary in the first Congressional District by 319 votes over former chairman of the Suffolk Planning Commission David Calone, Suffolk election officials said Friday.

Elections official did not have a final vote tally, but both sides put aside their objections when Throne-Holst’s margin exceeded what remained of 1,800 absentee ballots that were being counted.

Throne-Holst, in a statement, thanked supporters and “congratulated David Calone on a spirited race” which resulted in “a very close margin.”

She...| read more ››

Absentee ballots in last Tuesday’s First Congressional District Democratic Primary skewed heavily toward former Southampton Town Supervisor Anna Throne-Holst, widening her lead as she claimed victory in the contest against former Suffolk County Planning Commission Chairman Dave Calone Friday afternoon.

She will go on to face incumbent freshman Republican Congressman Lee Zeldin in November.

Ms. Throne-Holst had a 29-point lead after ballots were counted on election night, June 28, but after 1,803 absentee and provisional ballots were counted this week, she widened that lead to 319 votes, taking home a total of 6,479 against Mr. Calone’s 6,160.

Ms. Throne-Holst declared victory in a statement to reporters just before 2 p.m. Friday.

“I am deeply grateful to all who placed their...| read more ››

After all the votes were counted, Anna Throne-Holst bested her opponent Dave Calone in the Democratic primary in the 1st Congressional District by 319 votes.

"I am deeply grateful to all who placed their trust and support in me, and I am truly humbled by the privilege it has been to get to know, share the concerns, and my message with so many," Throne-Holst said. "I want to congratulate Dave Calone on a spirited race, and I share in the respect and support he garnered in the district, as demonstrated by the very close margin and the strength of his candidacy."

Throne-Holst said she looks forward to working together with Democrats across the district to take back the "important seat....| read more ››

Anna Throne-Holst, a former Southampton Town Supervisor, has apparently won her primary race against David Calone, a businessman, former prosecutor, and former chairman of the Suffolk County Planning Commission, and will face Lee Zeldin in the Nov. 8 election to represent New York's First Congressional District.

With some 1,800 absentee ballots counted as of Friday afternoon, Ms. Throne-Holst led Mr. Calone by 319 votes. The result is to be certified on Monday or Tuesday, according to an official of the Suffolk County Board of Elections.

Ms. Throne-Holst's campaign issued a statement shortly before 4 p.m. on Friday, approximately 30 minutes after officials of the board of elections finished counting the absentee ballots. "I am deeply grateful to all who placed...| read more ››

Voters go to the polls Tuesday to choose Democrats who will vie this fall for three congressional seats representing Long Island — including in two of the most competitive districts in the region.

Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. in the 1st District, 3rd District and 5th District Democratic primaries.

The 3rd District primary — prompted by the surprise retirement of Rep. Steve Israel (D-Huntington) — includes five candidates. Stretching along the North Shore from Eastern Queens through Nassau County and into western Suffolk County, the district has 194,508 registered Democrats.

Four of the candidates are based in Nassau, which has the largest share of registered voters, with 50 percent: Former Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, 53,...| read more ››

The campaign pieces are choking voters’ mailboxes, the TV ads are all booked, the town halls and debates at which candidates have spoken out are over — and now comes the most crucial battle, to actually drag voters to the polls.

“No one is waking up on June 28 rushing to vote and there certainly aren’t going to be any lines at the polls,” said Richard Schaffer, Suffolk Democratic chairman. “And this is going to be a ground game on steroids because every vote you bring out is worth 20 votes in a general election.”

In a year in which New York already has held a presidential primary and will hold its normal primaries for state and local office in...| read more ››

Democrats vying to replace retiring Rep. Steve Israel in Tuesday’s primary made their final pitches to voters in a Thursday night Queens debate short on personal jabs but long on explanations why each is the best choice.

Along with promoting their biographies and political experience during the debate at North Shore Towers, a luxury gated community near the Nassau-Queens border, the four candidates in attendance also answered questions about gun-control, immigration, health care, and the price of a fair minimum wage.

The winner of Tuesday’s primary will face State Sen. Jack Martins (R-Old Westbury) in November.

Anna Kaplan, a North Hempstead councilwoman from Kensington Village, who escaped Iran as a political refugee, said she was the best candidate in the...| read more ››

Democrats Dave Calone and Anna Throne-Holst are locked in a competitive — and expensive — primary Tuesday for the chance to face freshman GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin in what is expected to be one of the nation’s most competitive general election congressional races in November.

Calone, 42 of Setauket, is the former chairman of the Suffolk County Planning Commission and president and CEO of the venture capital firm Jovian Holdings.

Calone points to his work on environmental issues while on the planning board, such as streamlining the permitting process for rooftop solar projects and his work in the private sector helping technology startups on Long Island.

Throne-Holst, 56 of Sag Harbor, served for six years as Southampton town supervisor before...| read more ››

Democratic Rep. Steve Israel's surprise decision not seek re-election has spawned a five-way primary in the Gold Coast 3rd District that stretches from Queens to Suffolk County. The race is so crowded that even experts are shying way from predictions. Here are the candidates at a debate at Great Neck House on Tuesday, May 17, 2016: from left, Jonathan Clarke, Anna Kaplan, Jon Kaiman, Steve Stern and Thomas Suozzi. (Credit: James Escher)
Democratic Rep. Steve Israel’s surprise decision not seek re-election has spurred a five-way primary in the Gold Coast 3rd District that stretches from Queens to Suffolk County.

The race is so crowded that even experts are shying way from predictions.

The field consists of a former Nassau...| read more ››

A bill moving quickly in the Legislature’s final days would create a New York Climate Action Council to push solar, wind and other renewable energies through state spending.

One innovative new effort under the bill would be to use solar-powered heat pumps to use ground water to help heat residential buildings including public housing.

The measure sponsored by Assemb. Steven Engelbright (D-Setauket) passed the Democrat led Assembly just over a week ago mostly along party lines, with many Republicans opposed. The bill now awaits action in the Senate, where it has some powerful sponsors.

The bill would create a 23-member council of representatives from state agencies to create greenhouse gas reporting requirements, set emissions limits, and spend the state Environmental...| read more ››