Orelli Beats Out Clark For Highway Superintendent Post

Huntington Highway Superintendent elect Kevin Orelli, right, addresses the crowd at the Democrats’ results party at The Larkfield in East Northport. He is flanked, from left, by town council candidate Emily Rogan and supervisor candidate Tracey Edwards, who were both defeated, and Councilman Mark Cuthbertson, who won reelection to his post. Long Islander News Photo/Peter Sloggatt

By Long Islander News Staff
info@longislandergroup.com

Democrat Kevin Orelli edged out Republican John Clark by 324 votes, according to Suffolk BOE results, in the race for Huntington highway superintendent.

Orelli earned 24,000 votes and will take over for current Highway Superintendent Peter Gunther, who did not seek reelection.

Monitoring returns with fellow democrats Tuesday night, Orelli said his excitement over the win was somewhat tempered by the results in other races.

He intends to hit the ground running. After a quick trip to Florida to decompress, Orelli said, he will meet with Gunther “to ensure a smooth transition.”

Clark, who earned 23,676 votes in defeat, congratulated Orelli on the win Tuesday night.

“I wish I could have won it, but I congratulate Kevin Orelli on his victory,” Clark, 61, of Greenlawn, said. “This was my first foray into the public arena to try and run for office, and I had a great time doing it. ... I really appreciate the support I got throughout the town."