Politics & Government

Carole Campolo Says 'No' to Supervisor Run

Larry Cantwell declined to screen with Republicans and is still hoping for an opponent; Four months after first nominating a candidate, committee still has not candidate.

East Hampton Republicans remain without a candidate for town supervisor, having lost its latest hopeful, Carole Campolo.

Campolo, the party's secretary, said on Monday that she decided against seeking the party's nomination for town supervisor, in part, because the local committee needs an overhaul.

"The successful Republican message of fiscal conservatism, leaner and efficient town government, a continued pursuit of open space through the aggressive administration of the CPF, among other accomplishments, is strong, as evidenced by the stunning success of the Wilkinson administration over these last four years," Campolo said in an email.  

"But, a strong, effective and serious campaign also needs the support of an organized and focused political party. The events of the last few months surrounding the unfortunate Schneiderman episode make it obvious that the Republican Party is in dire need of an overhaul."

The committee has been unable to find a candidate, despite reaching across party lines.

The GOP woes began on March 18, when Suffolk County Legis. Jay Schneiderman, a member of the Independence party, turned down the Republican nomination for the supervisor. Instead, Schneiderman decided to run for his sixth and final term to keep his seat on the Suffolk County Legislature.

The party nominated Scheiderman in late February, but he asked for time to make a final decision. The committee wanted to pick a candidate in February, months ahead of the Democratic Committee, which only made its decision in May to run Larry Cantwell for supervisor. Republican leaders even declined to wait until March or April for current town supervisor Bill Wilkinson to make up his mind whether he wanted to seek a third term.

Kurt Kappel, the committee chairman, said he even discussed the possibility of cross endorsing Cantwell, but that Cantwell declined.

Cantwell said that he was asked to screen with the Republicans. Even though, he said, it would be easier not to have to run a campaign, he feels it is an important part of the democratic process.

"I felt that with the Democratic and Independence nominations that the community deserves to select a supervisor. I think people in the community would be disappointed if there was not a contest and a debate on the issues," Cantwell said. "I never expected to be appointed supervisor. I expected to earn it."

Kappel said there have been others who showed interest in running on the Republican ticket, such as Nancy Keeshan, a member of the planning board. Most, he said, decided they didn't have the time to commit to the position.

A few weeks ago, Campolo came forward as the most recent contender.

The committee will meet, again, on Thursday to decide what to do.

Asked what the committee will do if they can't find a candidate, Kappel said: "I don't know. We're going to give it one more shot," he said, adding, "In Southampton, two councilpeople won with new supervisor candidate."

"We have a really good slate this year," he said, rattling off the names of the candidates, including Fred Overton and Dominick Stanzione, an incumbent, for town council, as well as Carl Irace for town justice, and Carole Brennan for town clerk (Brennan received a cross endorsement from the Democratic and Independence parties).

Meanwhile, Wilkinson said the whole process has been an embarrassment for Republicans. "They are now looking at a summer without a candidate. It's a long fall for the Republican party," he said.

Asked whether he thought the party could find a viable candidate to run against Cantwell, Wilkinson said, "I think to find a viable candidate requires some planning, it requires some well thought out strategies, and as of June 3, if you're still searching to find one, you've failed to do these tests."

Wilkinson added, "Kurt Kappel has had tricks up his sleeves before," referring to the party nominating Schneiderman, a candidate outside of the party. "He wouldn't put the party at such a risk."


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