Julie Lofstad, Richard Yastrzemski to Face Off For Open Southampton Town Board Seat

UPDATE:

(SOUTHAMPTON, NY) - Democratic candidate Julie Lofstad and Republican candidate Richard Yastrzemski will be vying for the open seat on the Southampton Town Board replacing Councilman Brad Bender in January.

The special election has been scheduled for January 26.

“I am just really honored to be asked to run again,” Lofstand, who came in third in the Town Board election last month, told 27east. “I feel you don’t get many second chances in life, so I am looking forward to taking advantage of what I learned and adding some new stuff, talking to more people, listening to what their issues are, and getting into office so I can advocate on behalf of those I have and haven’t spoken to.”

“Yes, I went for supervisor and it did not work out, but I was recognized for having a nice campaign, an honorable and respectful campaign,” Yastrzemski, current Southampton deputy mayor who ran for Supervisor last month, told 27east. “The reason to run is because I like public service and I wanted to go up to a larger level, while still representing the community.”

ORIGINAL STORY:

(SOUTHAMPTON, NY) - Southampton Town officials have scheduled a special election to replace councilman Bradley Bender, who recently resigned following his arrest on drug charges.

The election has been scheduled for Jan. 26.

Julie Lofstad, who came in third in the Town Board elections last month, was recently nominated by the Democratic Party to run in the upcoming election.

The Republican Party has not yet announced their nomination, but Damon Hagan and Richard Yastrzemski could possibly run in the race.

Bender, who was elected to the town board in 2013, resigned on Nov. 24 after pleading guilty to illegally distributing oxycodone.

He allegedly obtained the painkillers from Michael Troyan, the Riverhead physician assistant chargedearlier this month with conspiring to illegally distribute oxycodone.

Bender, 52, of Northampton then allegedly sold the oxycodone in exchange for steroids and cash.

He claimed that while he sold the pills knowing it was wrong, he thought it was just for the one man’s personal use and did not know that the oxycodone was being resold to drug addicts.

He reached a plead deal with prosecutors that involved Bender resigning from the Town Board, paying a $100,000 bond, turning over his passport, and participating in a treatment program for three months.

If he has completed all of the conditions, his sentence will be reduced to less than 36 months and his fine will not be more than $5,000.