County Clerk Judith Pascale (R) took to Facebook, in a message that was shared by the Suffolk County Police Benevolence Association (PBA), to voice her contempt for the Suffolk GOP that declined to designate her for what would be her fifth term in office. The Suffolk County Republican party instead backs Vinny Puleo (C-Nesconset), who had been expected to run with the endorsement of the Conservative, Democratic and Independence Parties’ nominee in 2018.
After ascending to the Clerkship in 2006, Judy ran two elections being cross-endorsed by all major and minor parties. In 2018, however, Pascale could no longer run on all major lines due to a change in the Suffolk County Republican Party’s bylaws called the ‘LaValle Rule,’ which banned major party cross endorsements in nonjudicial races. Pascale managed to keep the Republican, Conservative and Independence Parties’ lines in 2018.
That year, Party leaders say, Pascale agreed that that would be her final term in office so that she would be able to ‘finish ongoing projects.’ This is a claim outright rejected by a spokesperson for the Pascale campaign. The spokesperson goes on to say the “fact is that she never made such an agreement.”
Reacting to sentiments made in her Facebook posting, a spokesperson for the Suffolk County GOP objected to the notion that the clerk’s office is fully open to the public, saying, “All any resident needs to do is walk into the Riverhead County Clerk Center and see rows and rows of bins left for them to fend for themselves.”
The same spokesperson went on to say, “enough with Pascale’s absentee leadership.”
The tension between party leadership and Pascale escalated with a legal challenge launched by Pascale earlier this year lodged against the Suffolk GOP for her not being listed on the party’s nominating petitions. However, the pathway she chose to get to the ballot placed her campaign in collaboration with Robert Cornicelli’s congressional campaign. Cornicelli, who was previously involved with the fraudridden campaign of William Mountzouro, once told Newsday, “…we thought having a spouse sign for another spouse was OK.” It is explicitly forbidden in election law and constitutes fraud.
The close affiliation between the two was enough to arouse suspicion and caused Suffolk GOP leadership to bring counterclaims against Pascale’s campaign.
“We have affidavits from registered voters* who swore they did not sign Pascale’s petitions under the dates listed. From day one, this committee has been prepared to expose Judy Pascale’s liberal record and her failed policies that are more in line with Hochul and Cuomo than President Trump,” said Suffolk County Republican Chairman Jesse Garcia. “Knowing her petition was wrought with fraud but hungry to get her government paycheck, Judy Pascale once again manipulated the system for her benefit.”
The Suffolk GOP’s attempt, however, was dismissed by the judge because the timeline had passed, rendering them unable to pursue that route. According to the May 10 verdict, Pascale’s name will appear on the Republican primary ballot in June.
With the verdict, the Republican primary for what essentially amounts to an elected administrative position has much potential to heat up, especially considering Pascale’s support amongst the PBA. Some even fear that the wedge could have a ramification on the general election.
However, Republican designee Puleo seemed confident in his prospects for this June and August, “not concerned” the primary will have any bearing on the general election.
“Once we get through this, may the best person win, then we will focus on the general election,” said Puleo.
Puleo took the chance to tout his 30 years of private sector experience and 16 years of public service as Town Clerk of Smithtown. “There are many issues that need to be attended to,” in the clerk’s office, said Puleo.
With the primary election drawing near, the results of this election will serve as a litmus test of where the center of gravity lies within the Suffolk County GOP – the victory will reap the rewards.
*Editor’s Note, dated 5/16: On Thursday, May 12, The Messenger misprinted a quote from Chairman Jesse Garcia. “We have affidavits from police offers..” has since-been corrected, per its intended transcription; “We have affidavits from registered voters..”
