East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez Unopposed for Reelection

East Hampton Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez will show up on this November’s ballot unopposed.

First elected to the Town Board in 2013, Burke-Gonzalez, a Democrat, was sworn-in as supervisor in 2024. Prior to her election, she worked in advertising for some 30 years. Burke-Gonzalez, 64, is now finishing her first two-year term as supervisor.

Born and raised in Valley Stream, Burke-Gonzalez went to school at Siena College, outside Albany. She graduated in 1983 and moved to New York, where she began her career in advertising. Around 13 years later, she moved to East Hampton, where she continued her career.

In 2004, Burke-Gonzalez was elected to the Springs School Board. She served on the board for nine years, before being elected to the Town Board.

As for what she’ll work on in her next term, Burke-Gonzalez said she wants to see the Lake Montauk Inlet dredged. The dredge window typically runs from October 1 to January 15.

With that operation hanging in the balance in September, East Hampton Town committed $1.1 million from its South Fork Wind Fund to ensure it moved forward. That funding brought the town’s total share up to $2.6 million, compared to the federal government’s $9.5 million.

For affordable housing, the Town Board currently has a grant application for $3 million before the Empire State Development Corporation. Burke-Gonzalez hopes to be able to make an announcement on that later this year.

The supervisor also cited the loan program for accessory dwelling units — small, apartment-like structures that share a parcel with a larger single-family house. This program would see the town issue loans of a set dollar amount — $100,000 was one number thrown around — from its Community Housing Fund to spur on affordable housing development. The program still needs to be finalized and developed.

Lastly, Burke-Gonzalez cited the new community center/senior center. Just recently, the Town Board reversed course on that project, signaling its intent to shift the focus from a senior center to more of a community center, which would welcome members of the general public of all ages.

“I think it’s still in preliminary stages,” she said of those plans. “We need to hear from the community. I think we need to reach out to organizations and see: Are there partnership opportunities available?”

Currently, the town is looking for organizations that share the mission, including those in the medical field and the recreation and wellness space. The idea is to put together something that is holistic.

“Sometimes I kind of pinch myself when I walk around my desk and go to sit down and realize that I am the town supervisor for the Town of East Hampton, from Town Line Road to Montauk Lighthouse,” she said. “It’s a tremendous privilege to serve my community, and that’s how I look at it. I’m of service to the folks who live here.”

Also on the Ballot

First elected in 2013, East Hampton Town Justice Steven Tekulsky will be unopposed for reelection to his position. Tekulsky is running on the Democratic and Working Families lines.

East Hampton Town Superintendent of Highways Stephen Lynch is cross-endorsed by both the Democratic and Republican Parties to retain his position, which he has held since 2012.

East Hampton Town Assessor Eugene DePasquale, who will appear on the ballot, is also cross-endorsed by the two parties.