Messages obtained by The Messenger reveal Islip Town Democratic Committee members mocking residents, promoting socialist candidates, and making racially charged jokes during a civic debate in Sayville.
What began as a spirited community candidate forum in Sayville has erupted into a political firestorm after The Messenger obtained pages of text messages from a leaked group chat among members of the Islip Town Democratic Committee. The messages, shared by a source present in the chat, reveal real-time commentary during the event: featuring mocking remarks about residents, racially charged jokes, and candid discussions about advancing a socialist platform on Long Island. The conversation unfolded as candidates, including Kelly Perry-Hyland (D-Bayport) and David Chan (D-Oakdale) participated in a civic “Meet the Candidates” event co-hosted by the Ronkonkoma, Sayville, Bohemia, and Oakdale civic associations earlier this month.
While residents filled the room to hear where the contenders stood on taxes, public safety, and overdevelopment, a small group of Islip Democratic insiders were exchanging messages that painted a starkly different picture behind the scenes.
Crude Humor and Mocking of Residents
The leaked text messages show that as residents raised questions about development and zoning, the tone in the private chat turned derisive.
One participant, Irina Meri, joked, “If we turn into Queens are we gonna have more dumpling restaurants?”
Another, Roberto “Poo” Muñoz, responded, “Needs to stay white.”
Garett Peterson, vice chairman of the Islip Town Democrats and a declared congressional candidate for New York’s 2nd District, added, “Dog whistling to old whites.”
Rather than pushing back, others joined in. “They should start building skyscrapers IMO, just to piss off these people,” wrote Rae Paoletta, who is also vice president of the Oakdale Civic Association.
The remarks continued. “Can we not with the Islip can’t be Queens thing? I want to be Queens. I want apartments and public transport and all the food,” Irina Meri added, later suggesting, “Turn the whole town into one giant apartment building.”
Vincent Vertuccio chimed in, “I have an apartment in DC, an apartment I am a part of in Brooklyn, and family home Sayville and I exist between these locales.”
Pledging a Socialist Future
Beyond the real-time commentary on the debate, portions of the chat reflect long-term political ambitions. “2028 we run socialist candidates,” Rae Paoletta wrote.
Ken Colón, a member of the Islip Democrats’ Executive Committee who previously ran unsuccessfully for Islip town supervisor, responded, “The Rae campaign is gonna go crazzzzyyyyyy.”
Garett Peterson replied, “She has my sword whenever it comes. Assembly D7, LD8, or Congress if I come up short I guess.”
Another participant, Roberto “Poo” Muñoz, punctuated the exchange with an image of Karl Marx captioned, “Marxism Intensifies.”
“What I’ve learned,” Rae Paoletta continued later, “is that the GOP on LI is ready for socialism.”
Targeting the Moderator
The tone grew more personal when participants shifted focus to the evening’s moderator, Milynn Augilis, vice president of the Bohemia Civic Association and President of the Greater Islip Association.
“Omg shut up Milynn,” wrote Irina Meri. “You don’t know the first thing about being respectful.”
Rae Paoletta replied, “Yeah f*** off Milynn.”
The exchange, according to the source who provided the text messages, occurred as the moderator tried to maintain order following a tense moment in the debate where members of the crowd clad in t-shirts supporting democratic candidate Kelly Perry-Hyland shouted about local police being “Nazis” and “gestapo” with respect to a question about local cooperation with ICE.
Garett Peterson wrote during one exchange, “Lots of our people. I think we have more heads here than they do.” To which Ken Colón replied, “John made the BOE crew come out,” likely referencing democratic political appointees from the Board of Elections.
Internal Fallout and Public Reaction
Of the messages, one Democratic Party insider who spoke on the condition of anonymity did not approve. “Suffolk residents care about affordability and safety, this new generation is wildly out of touch with the average Long Island democrat voter. What wins votes in Brooklyn doesn’t necessarily win in Brookhaven. More Suozzi, less Bernie.”
Assemblyman Doug Smith (R-Holbrook), Chairman of the Islip Town Republican Committee, who attended the Sayville debate and was referenced in the chat during the event said in a statement: “While we’re focused on governing responsibly and delivering real results for Islip families, these individuals have shown themselves to be completely unserious about public service. If they want high-rise buildings and socialism, they can move to Zohran Mamdani’s New York City after Tuesday. The people of Islip know better. They’ll continue choosing leaders who put our taxpayers, our neighborhoods, and our safety first.”
As of press time, officials within the Islip Town Democratic Committee have not commented on the contents of the leaked messages or whether any internal action will be taken. The Messenger continues to review text messages and related communications provided by the source.
This report represents the first in a continuing series, as further portions of the group chat — which include additional remarks and participation by Democrat elected officials and candidates within the Town of Islip — are expected to be released in the coming days.
The Meet the Candidates Night was held on October 9, 2025 at 7pm and was LIVE Streamed on the Greater Sayville Civic Association Facebook page here during PART 1 of The Messenger’s coverage of the Islip Democrats leaked text message conversation: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/17F13RHaAN/
