No drama. Unanimous support for candidates. Run like a well-oiled machine. A strong, unified front.
Those are some of the ways to describe the Suffolk County Republican Committee convention where candidates for office earned an endorsement for a myriad of offices at local, county, state, and federal levels.
Hundreds of Suffolk County Republican committee members packed the Elks Club of Smithtown on Edgewood Avenue to nominate GOP candidates that will run with a coveted endorsement from the party.
Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine was the first elected official to kick off the convention and endorsement meeting. While most candidates were looking ahead to races in 2024, Romaine took a look back at his victory for County Executive in 2023.
“I’m looking at the people that make winners. Everyone said my election was going to be close. The guy (Democrat Dave Calone) outspent me by millions. And we won by 14 points. That doesn’t happen by accident. It happens by leadership, by town chairmen working hard. We’re a team,” said Romaine.
The Suffolk County Executive was followed by Congressman Nick LaLota, who unanimously received the Republican endorsement for another term in the House of Representatives.
“What a great committee we have. What exists in this room, can’t be matched anywhere in this country. We win tough races. We win them so we can govern the right way as common sense conservatives,” said the 1st District Republican House member.
 |
| Awaiting Nominations/Suffolk County GOP South Shore Press |
From a lectern at the front of the Elks Club, Garcia would shout out the name of a Republican candidate and which office they’re running for. GOP Town Chairs and fellow elected officials would second the nomination, the Suffolk Republican Chairman used his right hand on the table instead of a gavel, and candidate after candidate received an endorsement from the full committee. It was orderly, efficient, and over in about one hour.
“This Republican Committee in Suffolk, it is second to none in New York State. We’ve earned a reputation of winning. We maintain our seats, and also beat a sitting Democrat. That’s how you grow,” said Garcia following the nominating convention to the South Shore Press.
According to most recent data from the New York State Board of Elections, Democrats hold a slight enrollment advantage over Republicans in Suffolk County.
Information posted to the NYS BOE for February 2024 shows a total of 376,665 active and inactive registered Democrats and 345,261 active and inactive registered Republicans.
There are approximately 1,112,963 registered voters in Suffolk County.
With an enrollment advantage of 31,404 registered voters, on paper the Democratic Party by sheer numbers alone should win more seats, especially at the county level.
Under the leadership of Chairman Garcia, Romaine won his race by 38,983 votes and Republicans hold a firm majority in the Suffolk County Legislature.
“I look around this room, we have so much horsepower,” said Romaine.
“The nation is looking at Suffolk County. They know our commitment,” concluded Congressman LaLota.