A bitter internal conflict has engulfed the Suffolk County Democratic Committee, with members accusing incumbent Chairman Rich Schaffer of orchestrating backroom deals with Republicans to the detriment of the party's own candidates. The accusations have fueled a challenge to Schaffer's leadership, with a vote by committee members scheduled for September.
Kathryn Casey Quigley, the Democratic chair of Southold, is challenging Schaffer for his position. She claims Schaffer has actively worked against Democratic candidates to protect Republican incumbents. "People accuse me of working to divide the party — but Schaffer is working directly with Republicans and actively against his own party," Quigley told The Post.
Accusations of Schaffer undermining candidates include the case of Democrat Jonathan Estreich. According to Newsday, Schaffer allegedly persuaded Estreich to drop his bid for state Senate and instead pursue the Suffolk County comptroller position, only to later pressure him to withdraw from that race as well. Estreich was reportedly encouraged to accept a Conservative Party nomination for a judgeship, which would have removed him from the comptroller ballot.
Insiders also claim that Anthony Portesy, another Democrat who had initially sought the Suffolk County Clerk position and received Schaffer's endorsement, abandoned his campaign due to similar pressure from the chairman, a move described by some as a "betrayal."
Critics point to past decisions, such as the party's decision not to field opponents against District Attorney Ray Tierney and Sheriff Errol Toulon in the previous year, allowing both to win re-election unopposed. Toulon also appeared on the Democratic ballot line.
Further allegations suggest a pattern of such arrangements dating back to 2018, when Schaffer allegedly encouraged a young college student to run against incumbent Republican State Sen. Phil Boyle. Party members believe this was a deliberate tactic to weaken the Democratic ticket.
This internal strife occurs as the more established wing of the Suffolk Democrats anticipates potential challenges from progressive factions. While the Democratic Socialists of America did not field candidates in Long Island elections this cycle, political analyst John Tomlin suggested this was a strategic move to preserve momentum following successful primary challenges by DSA-backed candidates in other parts of New York and the country. Tomlin anticipates DSA candidates may target local races on Long Island in the coming years.
Jon Schneider, a spokesperson for the Suffolk Democratic Committee, dismissed the internal disputes, stating the party's focus remains on statewide and congressional races in November. He also pushed back against characterizations of the party aligning with Republicans and Conservatives, asserting that their efforts are aimed at defeating "MAGA Republicans who are in lockstep with President Trump."
