Suffolk County Elections: Democrats Aim for Upsets Amid Polling Tension

Suffolk County, NY — As polling places closed across Suffolk County on November 4, 2025, the focus shifted to election results where substantial contests for legislative seats and seven town supervisor positions took place.

Democrats were eyeing potential upsets in two significant town supervisor races in Huntington and Riverhead. Cooper Macco, the Democratic candidate for Huntington, aimed to unseat current Republican Supervisor Ed Smyth. Meanwhile, Jerry Halpin, running for Riverhead Town Supervisor as a Democrat, was challenging incumbent Republican Tim Hubbard.

In addition to local races, Democrats hoped to narrow the supermajority held by Republicans in the Suffolk County Legislature. Party leaders gathered at IBEW Local 1049 Union Hall in Holtsville to monitor results, while Republican leaders convened at Stereo Garden in Patchogue.

As the night unfolded, statewide tensions rose. New York Attorney General Letitia James praised progressive momentum during the mayoral race for New York City, where Zohran Mamdani was projected to win, prompting reactions from supporters and opponents alike. Young voters voiced mixed feelings about Mamdani’s leadership and policies, with some expressing concerns about his rhetoric.

The counting process remained dynamic, with early voting and mail-in ballots still influencing results, said Suffolk County Democratic Minority Leader Jason Richberg. Legislator Rebecca Sanin noted her lead over Republican challenger Chad Lupinacci depended mostly on early ballot counts.

Officials anticipated results that could reshape not only legislative representation but the political landscape itself, as uncertainty lingered around voter turnout and issues such as local taxes and public safety weighed heavily on constituents’ minds.

With precincts reporting slowly, initial figures indicated a solid turnout, suggesting continued political engagement among Long Islanders. Suffolk voters will select from diverse candidates promising change in governance and community focus.

As results began to trickle in, both parties awaited an official update on the ballots, hoping their respective strategies paid off for 2025’s elections.