By CaraLynn Caulfield
Long Island voters narrowed the field in a series of local primaries this week, confirming Republican and Working Families Party candidates for key town and county races ahead of November’s general election. The night was highlighted by two high-profile supervisor races in the GOP primary, which saw the incumbents move on to November’s election.
Smithtown: Wehrheim Holds Ground in Heated GOP Contest
Incumbent Supervisor Edward R. Wehrheim held onto the Republican nomination in Smithtown with 3,728 votes (54.91%), defeating challenger Robert Trotta, the outgoing Suffolk County legislator, who received 3,059 votes (45.06%). Wehrheim will face Democrat Rosemary Griffin in November.
In the Town Council race, Republicans re-nominated Thomas J. McCarthy with 3,848 votes (28.96%) and Lynne C. Nowick with 3,839 votes (28.89%). They beat out Robert Semprini (2,826 votes, 21.27%) and Joann Tierney-Varello (2,767 votes, 20.82%). McCarthy and Nowick will face Jesse L. Phillips and Michael Catalanotto in the general election.
Huntington: November Matchups Take Shape
Supervisor Edmund J. Smyth swept both the Republican and Conservative primaries in Huntington. He defeated Town Councilwoman Brooke A. Lupinacci for the GOP line, winning 3,560 votes (60.92%) to her 2,275 votes (38.93%).
Smyth also secured the Conservative line with 274 votes (70.44%), ahead of Dominic Spada’s 106 votes (27.25%). He’ll face Maria Delgado, who clinched the Working Families Party line with 95 votes (76.61%), besting Cooper Macco (26 votes, 20.97%). Macco is also running as a Democrat, going up against Smyth.
In the Town Council race, GOP voters chose incumbent Dr. David P. Bennardo (3,615 votes, 31.76%) and Gregory Grizopoulos (3,349 votes, 29.43%) over John Posillico (2,232 votes, 19.61%) and former Councilman Eugene Cook (2,177 votes, 19.13%). On the Working Families line, Erick B. Greene and George B. Bergbuchler each earned 91 votes (37.76%) to lead the ticket. They were followed by Jen Hebert (31 votes, 12.86%) and Stephen Anastasia (22 votes, 9.13%), both of whom will run on the Democratic ticket.
Chris Haines claimed the Working Families nomination for Superintendent of Highways with 92 votes (76.03%), defeating Vincent E. Colavita (26 votes, 21.49%). Colavita will run as a Democrat against incumbent Andre Sorrentino.
Suffolk County Legislature: Renna, Formica Advance
Salvatore Formica secured the GOP nomination in the 13th Legislative District with 2,831 votes (57.66%), defeating Frank Black (2,077 votes, 42.30%). Formica will face Democrat Shala Pascucci in November.
In the 14th District, Richard J. Renna prevailed with 1,023 votes (66.30%), over Shawn S. Cullinane’s 515 votes (33.38%). Renna’s Democrat opponent will be Matthew McDonough.
Southampton: Working Families Party Announces Winners
The Working Families Party named Peter M. Collins their candidate for Town Clerk with 10 votes (52.63%), narrowly beating Mark A. Bernardo (9 votes, 47.37%). Bernardo will run against Collins as a Democrat. Republican incumbent Sundy Schermeyer will look to keep her seat in November.
In the Town Council race, Ieshia O. Galicia earned 12 votes (36.36%) and Thomas F. Neely secured 11 votes (33.33%). Andrew Smith followed with 10 votes (30.30%). Neely will also run as a Democrat. On the GOP slate are Richard Martel and Cynthia McNamara.
All results are unofficial and sourced from the Suffolk County Board of Elections as of June 24, 2025, 11:27 PM.
— Additional reporting by Hank Russell