Democrats Poised For September Primary

Tracey Edwards

Darryl St. George

By Jano Tantongco
jtantongco@longislandergroup.com

There will likely be a primary this September to determine the Democratic nominee for Huntington Town Supervisor.

Two candidates, incumbent town Councilwoman Tracey Edwards and Northport High School teacher Darryl St. George, met and surpassed the requirement of 1,000 petition signatures when they filed with Suffolk Board of Election last Thursday, paving the way for a Sept. 12 primary.

Edwards, who was designated by the Huntington Town Democratic Committee as its candidate earlier this year, submitted 2,129 signatures, according to committee Chair Mary Collins. Edwards’ petition sheet also listed the party’s other designated candidates, including Kevin Orelli for highway superintendent, and incumbent Councilman Mark Cuthbertson and Emily Rogan for town board.

St. George, who is also a former Greenlawn Civic Association president and Navy veteran, filed 2,038 signatures. The names of the party’s designated candidates did not appear on St. George’s petition sheet.

Huntington Democratic Chair Mary Collins said the committee is in the process of reviewing the petitions for “irregularities,” but added that she’s not expecting anything to change since both candidates filed more than double the requirement.

“I think we have a great slate, and I think we’re going to have a victory in November, and that’s where it counts,” Collins said.

She added that no other candidates filed petitions.

July campaign disclosure reports published this week show that Edwards’ campaign has $176,628 in the bank while St. George’s campaign has $8,950.

Edwards said Tuesday that she plans to present her vision of “innovative and transparent” initiatives to town residents by showing them what she’s been able to accomplish in the past four years on the board.

“I’m looking forward to talking to the residents about what is great for the town and what we need to do a little bit differently to make our town stronger,” Edwards said. “I look forward to the race.”

St. George, who said he felt the odds were stacked against him, added that he is proud of the number of signatures he accrued. It “speaks volumes,” he said.

“I am beyond proud, inspired and humbled by my group of volunteers. Our message has resonated with them, and it translated into the number of signatures that we were able to get.”

He also looked ahead, adding that he wants to send out a “very positive message” to constituents ahead of the primary.

“I’m looking forward to having a dialogue with Ms. Edwards and helping to really communicate to people where our positions differ,” St. George said.

The Democratic candidate will face-off against Republican-nominee state Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R-Huntington Station) on Election Day, Nov. 7.