Meet The Candidates: Shari Oster For Southampton Town Justice

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — Suffolk County residents will be heading to the polls Tuesday to elect local representatives and make their voices heard.

Residents will weigh in on the race to represent one of the 18 legislative districts in Suffolk County, vote for Suffolk County District Attorney and Sheriff — and choose their local town elected officials.

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.

Shari Oster is running on the Democratic and Clean Water lines for one of two open seats for Southampton Town Justice. Oster is running alongside Democratic and Clean Water candidate Adam Grossman and facing off against Republican and Conservative candidates Patrick Gunn, running on the Republican and Conservative lines, and Barbara Wilson, running on the Republican, Conservative and Working Families lines.

Following is Patch's full Q&A with Shari Oster:

<b> Name <b>

Shari Oster

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

66

<b>Position Sought</b>

Southampton Town Justice

<b>Party Affiliation</b>

Democrat

<b>Family</b>

Emily Oster, 38- MPH: US Department of State, Guatemala; Gerni Oster, 44- MPA:Government Operations for the Homeless, Pinellas County, Florida Dept of Health

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

Both my daughters, Gerni Oster and Emily Oster, work in government. My son-in-law, Geordie Stutzman, is an FBI Special Agent stationed at the American Embassy in Guatemala

<b>Education</b>

J.D.: St John’s University School of Law, BA : University Of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

<b>Occupation</b>

Lawyer. 36 years of experience

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

None

<b>Campaign website</b>

Oster4Justice.org

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

To serve the town I’ve lived in for more than 20 years

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

I cannot comment on political issues as a judicial candidate.

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

The voters will have to decide

<b>If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)</b>

No comment

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

No comment

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

Integrity and honesty

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

Mainly worked doing litigation. For 22 years I worked for a NewYork State Agency under the Appellate Division.

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

Try to do work that serves others

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

I will serve with honesty and integrity.