Democratic Party Candidate David Mayer Drops Out Of Southampton Town Trustee Race

Southampton Town Trustee candidate David Mayer announced on Thursday morning that he was withdrawing from the race so that he could focus on his family.

“To all my supporters and friends, I regret to inform you that due to familial reasons, I am terminating my campaign for Southampton Town Trustee,” the 39-year-old Hampton Bays resident said in an email. “I appreciate all the support I received and encouragement to run for office.”

The Southampton Democratic Party nominating committee selected Mr. Mayer to run for Trustee in February, alongside Eileen Duffy, who no longer is on the ballot.

In June, Mr. Mayer collected enough votes during the Democratic Party primary election to win a spot on the November ballot.

Joining him on the Democratic Party line in November are incumbents Bill Pell and Ann Welker, along with Andrew Brosnan and former Trustee President Eric Shultz.

Mr. Mayer decided to run for Trustee because of what he referred to as “bad land deals and a lack of creativity.”

“I truly wanted to help turn the ship around and bring ‘trust’ back to the Trustees,” he said in his announcement on Thursday. “But, after some unforeseen health issues in my family, I’m choosing to put my family before politics.

“I’m doing what I have to do at this time for my family,” he added in another email. “I always put my family first. I think it’s important that the people know I’m dropping out, before making their decision in November.”

Southampton Democratic Party leader Gordon Herr said Mr. Mayer’s name will still appear on the ballot, despite his dropping out of the race.

Even though Mr. Mayer’s name will appear on the ballot, Mr. Herr said he could not recall a time in the past 12 years that a candidate dropped out of the race and earned enough votes to get elected. That’s a bridge that he said his party will have to cross if and when it happens.

“He’s got some major family issues and personal issues, and people have to do what they need to do,” Mr. Herr said.

“It doesn’t affect us at all,” Mr. Herr said of Mr. Mayer’s announcement. Mr. Herr said he was confident the Democratic Party would take control of the Town Trustee board with the slate of candidates it has on the ballot.

Facing off with the Democratic Party candidates in the Trustee race in November will be Republican Party candidates Ed Warner Jr. and Scott Horowitz, both incumbents, along with Megan Heckman, Don Law and Thea Dombrowski-Fry.

The elections will take place on Tuesday, November 5.