Huntington WFP & the 2025 Election

In the wake of yesterday's election we are left with quite a bit to think about. Several important concerns have been expressed about the impact of the Working Families Party on yesterday's election outcomes here in Huntington. I'll address these here.

To begin, however, Huntington's Democrats deserve acknowledgement for their successes. They recruited a competitive team, ran a strong campaign, and generated important victories. Congratulations are in order for Huntington Councilmember-elect Jen Hebert and freshly re-elected Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin. The basis for a politics that delivers for workers and families is getting reestablished here in Huntington. Congratulations to the newly-elected and to the many others who helped get their message out.

But what of Huntington WFP's role in several of yesterday's losses? Simple math suggests that the line drew votes away from candidates endorsed by the WFP, as WFP votes were cast for several candidates with no seeming intent to run or win (i.e., Maria Delgado, Chris Haines, George Bergbuchler, Erick Greene). In his race for supervisor Cooper Macco lost by just 602 votes (as of 4:30 11/5), while Maria Delgado earned 1,195 votes that ostensibly would have gone to Macco.

So, what's this all about? Why would people run with no intention to win? The answer to this question is that in the absence of any real WFP organization here, the party line on the ballot could be controlled by anyone. And anyone who controls it can guarantee a reliable number of votes either for or against WFP endorsed candidates -- usually Democrats. Would you believe that two of the petitions submitted for these noncompetitive candidates were collected and witnessed by Huntington Manor Fire Commissioner Michael Pastore? Of the over 600 people registered in the WFP in Huntington, I've been able to identify 88 who either are or who appear to be associated with employees of the Huntington Manor Fire Department. With no investment in the local party the WFP line was just left there waiting for an opportunist to snatch it up.

Some say the WFP and third-party cross endorsements should be banned. I respectfully disagree, but see no need to get into that here. Instead, I raise the issue because unless or until party law is reformed in New York we need to find a way to get WFP-endorsed candidates elected. The best way to ensure that happens is to grow the party. Why haven't I done so already? So far, I'm the only person I know in Huntington who is interested in building the party, and that's in large part because I only just started in late-October.

My goal is to create energy, interest and community by hosting events that have experts and advocates meet with voters to talk about issues that concern them -- issues like water quality, development, diversity, equity, and education. While I have a full-time job and a family, I plan on investing some of my extra time on this endeavor. What may be slow at first will grow, and then many hands will make light work. Along the way, I hope you join us for our discussions and maybe, hopefully as a registered member of the WFP. By joining together we can build a party with a strong voice for families and workers in Huntington, and prevent the line from ever being stolen again!