Meet The Candidate: Bridget Fleming For Suffolk County Legislator

SUFFOLK COUNTY, NY — Suffolk County residents will be heading to the polls on Tuesday, November 2, to elect local representatives and make their voices heard.

In addition to local town and village races, residents will weigh in on the race for Suffolk County Legislature seats.

In advance of the election, Patch asked candidates to answer questions about their campaign — and the results will be published as candidate profiles in the days leading up to the vote.

Incumbent Bridget Fleming, 61, of Noyac is running on the Democratic and Working Family lines to represent the 2nd Legislative District against challenger and Robert J. Carpenter III, running on the Republican and Conservative lines.

Suffolk County's 2nd Legislative District encompasses the entire South Fork of Long Island and includes the Towns of Southampton and East Hampton, as well as Shelter Island and election districts 32, 279, and 272 in Brookhaven Town’s East Moriches and Eastport.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Bridget Fleming:

<b>Name<b>

Bridget Fleming

<b>Age (as of Election Day)</b>

61

<b>Position Sought</b>

Suffolk County Legislator

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Family</b>

Husband Bob and son Jai

<b>Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?</b>

No

<b>Education</b>

BA Hunter College; JD University of Virginia School of Law

<b>Occupation</b>

County Legislator

<b>Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office</b>

Southampton Town Board - Councilwoman

<b>Campaign website</b>

Shdems.org

<b>Why are you seeking elective office?</b>

I would be honored to be re-elected, to continue the initiatives my team and I have underway to serve our community.

<b>The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.</b>

Climate change presents us with enormous challenges to our public safety, our economy, and our way of life, with increasing impacts like localized flooding, coastal erosion, and loss of critical wetlands. I initiated a program to develop long-term planning around coastal resiliency to proactively invest in protecting against climate change impacts. At the same time, we must reduce the fossil fuel emissions that contribute to the changing climate. This is why my team and I have focused on developing a reliable and cost-effective public transportation system, developed maps to drive private investment in mid to large-scale solar development without adversely affecting green space and wildlife, and continue to advocate for LIPA and PSEG to do a better job expanding the renewable energy sector of our energy portfolio.

<b>What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?</b>

My background and experience provide the knowledge and relationships to provide excellent service to our communities.

<b>How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?</b>

I am extremely proud of the effort to protect our communities in the face of the global pandemic. We worked hard to keep the public informed, to provide adequate testing and personal protective equipment during the worst of the pandemic, and to continue to ensure that vaccines are available. At the same time, we offered support for local businesses and arts institutions that were hit so hard during the shutdown. We must continue to pay close attention to the economic impacts of Covid, particularly on local businesses and offer support to build our economy.

<b>Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.</b>

These challenging times call for a steady hand on the wheel. I am committed to protecting and supporting our economy and our way of life without raising taxes.

<b>What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?</b>

I have delivered on transportation by garnering millions in additional state funding, initiating a pilot microtransit program to replace fixed route bus service that had been eliminated, and made other improvements. We initiated a coastal resiliency planning effort to protect taxpayer dollars and coastal assets, and prevent flooding. We have increased reserves and eliminated debt while investing in jobs and downtowns. And we continue to build the highly successful septic improvement program, investing more than $40 million to save our bays, creeks and harbors.

<b>The best advice ever shared with me was:</b>

Be your best self.

<b>What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?</b>

I am committed to the wellbeing of our communities and would be honored to have the support to continue to work hard for you.