Duffy Denied Spot On Ballot

Eileen Duffy’s bid to run for the Southampton Town Board on the Democratic Party ballot was denied last week.

State Supreme Court Justice David T. Reilly ruled on May 3 that he would not allow her to run as a town board candidate in a Democratic Party primary. In fact, he concluded Duffy committed election fraud. Duffy reportedly will appeal the decision.

Duffy screened for a spot on the ballot with the town’s Democratic committee, party leaders said. She wanted to run for the town board, but was rebuffed. Instead, the committee suggested she run for town trustee.

In his decision, Justice Reilly found that Duffy committed election fraud, having knowingly had her name appear on two separate designating petitions simultaneously — the first for town trustee and the second for a seat on the town board. Duffy filed an appeal on Monday following the decision.

Duffy’s attorney, Carl Irace, noting an appeal has ben filed, said, “Technically, Eileen is still a candidate” for the town board because if the appeal is granted she can run in the Democratic primary. “‘We’re disapppinted with the decision.”

Irace said to commit election fraud the accused has to show intent. “The judge said she defrauded whether it was intentional or not.”

In the town supervisor race, Alex Gregor successfully petitioned to force a primary against incumbent Jay Schneiderman for the Independence Party line.

Gregor took a thinly veiled shot at Schneiderman, criticizing candidates who “bow down to the rich and put on brand-new hard hats at construction sites for photo opportunities.”

“My record as highway superintendent speaks for itself: For the past 10 years, I’ve fought tooth and nail for resources in the face of cynicism and complacency, ” Gregor said. “The bottom line is I think I can do a better job.”

The primary is June 25.

rmurphy@indyeastend.com