Southold Democratic Party Committee Chair Steps Down

SOUTHOLD, NY — Southold Town Democratic Committee Chair Art Tillman is stepping down.

Tillman announced the news Tuesday and said an election for the new chairperson would be held at the committee's January meeting, to be held at the Episcopal Church on Main St. in Greenport, with Kathryn Casey Quigley tapped for the post.

"It is time for a new generation to assume leadership. Kathryn Casey Quigley will run for the position," he said. "I turned over much of the management to her in the last local campaign. She did an outstanding job and though not successful we are quite pleased with the numbers. In a number of cases we outpolled the Republicans by large margins and would have elected our candidates had it not been for their Conservative Party cross endorsements."

Casey Quigley, he said, will be the first female Dem committee chair in Southold Town.

"I’m humbled and honored for the opportunity to serve as chair of the party," Casey Quigley said. "Art graciously welcomed me into the committee last year, encouraged new initiatives and energy on several fronts, and now the party is stronger for it. He has dedicated himself tirelessly as chair for 5 years, and we are indebted to him for his commitment and leadership. Art led with humility, openness and a belief in the importance of community. I hope to carry that example with me into this position."

Southold Town Supervisor Scott Russell spoke about Tillman on Tuesday. "I won’t comment on the internal decision-making of the Democratic Party since I am not a member. I will say, however, that Art has been a personal friend of my mine for 30 years. While he has had the task over the years of putting forward candidates to run against me, none of that mattered after Election Day. His integrity and his compassion sets him apart. Art’s commitment to this community and his loyalty to his friends, makes me proud to call him a friend."

Looking ahead, Casey Quigley said, "It was an honor to work with a great slate of candidates as campaign manager this fall. And it was truly crushing to see a group of individuals who worked so hard and were so uniquely qualified, not be able to pull off a win. I want to be part of ensuring that doesn’t happen again. My ultimate goal is to create a healthy, vibrant and active party that can ensure wins for the best possible candidates to lead this town. In order to get there, we need to attract new people to the party, raise more money, and build the case that Democratic values will strengthen Southold now and into the future."

Casey Quigley said the Southold Town Dem Committee is "great," with "a core group of hard-working dedicated long-term members, who know all the history and the ins and outs of local politics. I’m excited to learn from them. And there’s a more recent influx of members eager to get to work, which is great energy to build from. "

She said she envisions her role as that of an organizer, to engage as many people as possible on the issues impacting Southold Town.

"I look forward to connecting with many people, such as small business owners, farmers, and community leaders, regardless of party affiliation, to see how the Democrats can respond to their concerns for Southold. The Democratic party in Southold, just as it is nationwide, is positioned to make great strides. It’s an exciting time."

Casey Quigley, 36, has 2 children, grew up in Mattituck and returned to the North Fork in 2011. She has a masters in international affairs from Columbia University, and counts her time working on the Obama campaign in 2008 in Pennsylvania and Indiana as a big influence on her desire to stay engaged in politics. The former president’s recent call to young people to get involved locally inspired her to join the town Democratic party, combined with the desire to see more women in positions of political leadership, she said.

She has also been active in rallies outside Rep. Zeldin's office.

Tillman said his initial goal when assuming the position was to "get the committee up to speed and fill all vacancies."

This has been accomplished, he said, with a few exceptions — there is still a need for two committee people from Fishers Island, he said.

"There are many new and active committee people who have added greatly to the effectiveness of the party. I retire with a sense of accomplishment. During my tenure we reactivated the Southold Democratic Club which has put on numerous and well attended functions having guest speakers at regular scheduled meetings. We elected Al Krupski to the County legislature, Nick Krupski to the trustees and Brian Hughes to town justice. A great accomplishment was Judge Bill Price changing his registration to Democrat and having him reelected," he said.

In addition, Tillman said he has encouraged the participation of people who were not active in the committee in the past.

"Many came from Organization for America and the anti Zelden coalition," he said. "They have added greatly to the Democratic Party’s effectiveness and presence in Southold politics. Our success can further be measured by the Republican Party’s advancing many of the issues Southold Democrats have been advocating for years such as clean water, all manner of environmental concerns, land preservation, etc."

He stirred the political pot before bidding adieu. "My great disappointment is not electing more Democrats to local positions. This has been hindered by the ongoing Conservative — Republican cross endorsement deals, all of which have been hatched out at the county level. "The Conservative party does not exist as an organized political entity in Southold Town. There in no Southold Town Conservative Committee. In their Southold, the Suffolk County Conservative Committee makes deals with Republicans for cross endorsements."

Tillman went on: "One would assume the Conservative Party would be true to their basic philosophical belief in fiscal conservatism, yet in 2017 when the Southold Republican administration broke the state tax cap by a whopping 5.7%, the Conservative Party endorsed the Republicans who did so. Truly, the Conservative Party cares little for their own fundamental less-government-spending philosophy and will cross endorse Republicans who give them the most positions on the ballot Countywide. Southold needs are little considered."

Of the future, Tillman said, "Our party will be in good hands. We look forward to the dynamic leadership about to begin. I am confident the Democrat tide sweeping all of Suffolk County will finally arrive here. We have great allies in this endeavor with the help of Congressman Zeldin and President Trump."

"Although Art plays for the other team, he has always been a gentleman in politics, and he believes in what he says. For that I respect him, and thank him," said Peter McGreevy, Southold Town GOP Party chairman. "Notwithstanding our differences in political ideologies, both parties believe they have the best interests of Southold Town in mind, and with that common goal I look forward to continuing to work with the Democrats."

Courtesy photo of Kathryn Casey Quigley.