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Most Democratic elected officeholders in Southampton and East Hampton towns have endorsed Dave Calone in his battle with Anna Throne-Holst for the Democratic Party nomination in next year’s 1st District congressional race, according to a release from Mr. Calone.
On Monday, Suffolk County Legislator Bridget Fleming, who was Ms. Throne-Holst’s colleague on the Southampton Town Board, joined newly elected Southampton Town Councilman John Bouvier, East Hampton Town Supervisor Larry Cantwell, and East Hampton Town Board members Peter Van Scoyoc, Sylvia Overby and Kathee Burke-Gonzalez in releasing a joint statement supporting Mr. Calone. He hopes to run against U.S. Representative Lee Zeldin to represent the 1st Congressional District if he can defeat Ms. Throne-Holst in a Democratic primary.
“We’re proud to endorse lifelong Democrat Dave Calone for Congress,” the statement reads, referencing that Ms. Throne-Holst, although now a registered Democrat, was until recently a member of the Independence Party. “We need a leader who understands how to create a sustainable economic future for the East End.”
On Tuesday, Ms. Throne-Holst’s campaign manager, Andrew Grunwald, responded to the statement, saying the former Southampton Town supervisor has received several notable endorsements since launching her campaign.
“Anna is proud to have been endorsed by Democrats at every level of government representing Suffolk County and beyond, including Shelter Island Town Supervisor Jim Dougherty, Suffolk County Legislator Bill Lindsay, Southampton Democratic Chairman Gordon Herr, U.S. Congressman Steve Israel, and many other members of the New York delegation,” Mr. Grunwald said in an email on Ms. Throne-Holst’s behalf.
“Anna has been endorsed by Democratic leaders on a national level led by Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer,” Mr. Grunwald said. “It is clear that the overwhelming majority of Democratic leaders are rallying behind Anna’s campaign.”
This week, East Hampton Town Democratic Committee Chairwoman Jeanne Frankl explained that the party did not make the endorsements as a group, and that Mr. Calone had reached out to individual party members on his own.
Mr. Cantwell, the East Hampton Town supervisor, said he chose to endorse Mr. Calone based on interactions with him over the past few years. “I am happy to lend my support to David,” he said. “We’ve had a close working relationship, and I think he’s an outstanding person and would be a terrific congressman.”
Staff writer Michael Wright contributed reporting to this story.
Erin McKinley on Jan 12, 2016